EPA announces first federal restrictions on toxic ‘forever chemicals’ in drinking water

Zoë ReadApril 10, 2024

The new rules will prevent more than 4 million cancer deaths, thousands of premature deaths and tens of thousands of serious illnesses.

HealthPollutionWater

Paused Ohio chemical recycling plant puts spotlight on Appalachia as ‘prime target’ for the controversial practice

Kristina MarusicMarch 27, 2024

Chemical recycling uses heat, chemicals or both to break down plastic waste into component parts for reuse as plastic feedstocks or as fuel.

Environmental JusticeHealthPollutionYour Environment Update

Private well sampling in East Palestine gets $2 million boost from federal funding

Abigail BottarMarch 21, 2024

Columbiana County will sample 250 residential wells using an independent laboratory and local agency staff, not Norfolk Southern contractors.

East PalestineHealthWater

Hollowed out: How EQT’s expansion in West Virginia set 4 families reeling, while regulators trusted the company to answer their complaints

PublicSourceMarch 5, 2024

Pittsburgh gas giant EQT pledges to tackle climate change and flexes political muscle. Communities in its frack path face stark realities.

EnergyHealthYour Environment Update

President Biden visits East Palestine, announces public health studies

Abigail BottarFebruary 19, 2024

Amid protestors, President Biden visited East Palestine a year after the train derailment and announced grants to study health impacts of the chemical release.

East PalestineHealthTransportation

What you need to know about soot, U.S. Steel and Pittsburgh’s air

Reid FrazierFebruary 16, 2024

How the latest news about a new soot standard, a settlement with U.S. Steel and EPA's rejection of the company's air permit could impact Pittsburgh's air.

HealthPollutionYour Environment Update

Some East Palestine residents want the EPA to test inside their homes. EPA says ‘no’

Reid FrazierFebruary 12, 2024

The EPA says there is no evidence that contamination would be in people's homes. Experts recommend testing to be sure.

HealthPollution

Reporters Roundtable: What we learned from our investigation in East Palestine

The Allegheny FrontFebruary 9, 2024

We talk about the take-aways from our reporting project and what our reporters are looking out for next in East Palestine.

HealthPollutionTransportation

New EPA rule could rein in air pollution in Western Pennsylvania

Sarah BodenFebruary 8, 2024

EPA's new rule for soot in ambient air will prevent 4,500 premature deaths nationwide. Allegheny County stands to benefit too.

HealthPollution

A year later, the stream flowing under peoples’ homes in East Palestine is still polluted

Reid FrazierFebruary 2, 2024

Sulphur Run winds its way through East Palestine and under homes through culverts. People living above the stream are worried about the continued contamination.

HealthPollutionWater