Study: Pittsburgh Kids Near Polluting Sites Have Higher Asthma Rates

Reid FrazierNovember 10, 2020

Minority and low-income communities are most impacted, because they are more likely to live near polluting facilities.

Environmental JusticeHazardous to Your HealthHealthPollution

Groups Sue EPA Over Flares at Industrial Facilities

Reid FrazierNovember 2, 2020

Suit claims rules allow excess pollution at natural gas processing stations, landfills and chemical plants.

EnergyPollution

DEP Issues New Fines for Westmoreland County Landfill That Accepts Drilling Waste

Reid FrazierOctober 15, 2020

The agency fined Westmoreland Sanitary Landfill $59,000 for multiple violations over the past year, including spills and leaks. 

EnergyPollution

Air Permitting Backlog Improving in Allegheny County, Audit Says

Reid FrazierOctober 8, 2020

Actions on permit applications and renewals was better than five years ago, when some sat for up to twenty years.

Pollution

Enviro Groups Challenge EPA’s New Air Rule for Ethane Crackers

Julie GrantSeptember 18, 2020

Groups say the new rules don't protect the public from harmful emissions from these plants and allow too many loopholes for industry.

EnergyHealthPollutionThe Coming Chemical Boom

Study Finds Link Between Air Pollution and Risk of Stroke for People with AFib

Andy KubisSeptember 16, 2020

The higher the level of fine particulate matter, the higher the risk of stroke in patients with a common heart rhythm disorder.

Environmental JusticeHealthPollution

For Now, Latest Federal Rollback of Coal Regs Won’t Affect PA Plants

Reid FrazierSeptember 4, 2020

The Trump administration's rollback exempts some coal-fired power plants from Obama-era rules for wastewater containing toxins like mercury, arsenic and selenium.

EnergyPollutionWater

Federal Judges Throw Out ‘Gaping Loophole’ in PA’s Coal Pollution Plan

Reid FrazierAugust 28, 2020

Coal plants could lower operating temperatures to ‘evade’ stringent limits on nitrogen oxides that contribute to smog. DEP has two years to come up with a new plan.

EnergyPollution

Rising Seas Put Hundreds of Superfund Sites at Risk, Study Says

Susan PhillipsAugust 7, 2020

The report, “A Toxic Relationship, Extreme Coastal Flooding and Superfund Sites,” says the Trump Administration’s EPA is shirking its responsibility to warn the public and protect public health.

Climate ChangePollution

Allegheny County to Study Toxic Air Emissions from Glass Plant in Swissvale

Reid FrazierAugust 7, 2020

The health department will monitor for arsenic, cadmium and other cancer-causing heavy metals.

HealthPollution