Some fancy science, that's what. As in some inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy — a process that can analyze samples quickly and with super-accurate results.
A PublicSource investigation digs into which Allegheny County schools are testing for environmental toxins, how often they're testing, and what steps they’re taking to correct problems.
After tests showed lead levels exceeding federal limits, the state is requiring Pittsburgh to replace its old lead water pipes. But just how much that will cost and how long it will take is anybody's guess.
Every day, one in six Americans sets foot in a school building. And there are dozens of environmental hazards waiting for us that we could be doing more to fix.
The bad news: Authorities estimate there are tens of thousands of lead water pipes in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Even worse, no one knows exactly where they are.
While the state was trying to reassure residents that their lead-tainted water was safe, ACLU reporter Curt Guyette started digging deeper and uncovered an epic environmental tragedy.
The city is in compliance with federal guidelines, but lead levels detected in Pittsburgh’s drinking water in 2013 were just shy of a federal limit that prompts major corrective action.
