Pollution Archives

Allegheny County Health Department issues enforcement order against source of bad smell identified in September

Julia Zenkevich·October 6, 2021

The stinky smell that hung over Pittsburgh was caused by a broken valve at the Neville Chemical plant. Nearly 1,000 pounds of hazardous air pollutants were released.

Health Pollution

Pittsburgh region saw about two months of unhealthy air days in 2020, study finds

Kiley Koscinski·October 5, 2021

Last year, Pittsburgh had 57 days of poor air quality, which is linked to heart and lung problems, cancer and premature death.

Health Pollution

DEP cites Shell for ‘malodors’ outside cracker plant construction site

Reid Frazier·September 29, 2021

Residents said they smelled a sweet maple syrup odor for several days. DEP and Shell are still investigating the cause.

Energy Pollution The Coming Chemical Boom

Why It’s Taking Pennsylvania so Long to Regulate Toxic PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water

Kara Holsopple·September 24, 2021

In 2017, DEP started developing regulations for PFAS, a class of "forever" chemicals. It might be done by 2023. PFAS is linked to some types of cancers.

Health Pollution Your Environment Update

Allegheny County Takes Aim at Air Pollution During Inversions

Reid Frazier·September 24, 2021

A new rule calls for industries in the Mon Valley to develop plans to lower air emissions during inversions that trap pollution close to the ground.

Health Pollution

Kids Make a Video Celebrating ‘Litter Gitters’ in Their Community

Kara Holsopple·August 23, 2021

Budding filmmakers work on a project they hope will draw attention to the litter problem in Beaver County, and inspire other kids to make a difference.

Culture Pollution

Sunoco Pays $85,000 for Spills in 4 Counties from Its Mariner East Project

Rachel McDevitt·August 20, 2021

Spills from the Mariner East construction were in Blair, Cumberland, Juniata, and Lebanon counties. Sunoco already paid half a million dollars in fines for spills in Lebanon county last year.

Energy Pollution

Environmental Advocates Call on Legislature to Put More Money Toward Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

Rachel McDevitt·August 11, 2021

They want lawmakers to use some of the billions they have in federal dollars toward waterway cleanup that would benefit the Chesapeake Bay.

Pollution Water

Mon Valley on Pace for Twice as Many Hydrogen Sulfide Violations as Last Year

Susan Scott Peterson·August 4, 2021

The Clairton Coke Works is the biggest emitter of H2S in Pennsylvania and is "likely a substantial contributor" to the stinky toxic pollutant in the Mon Valley.

Climate Change Health Pollution

Town Hall Calls Attention to Pittsburgh Air Quality Problems

Julia Zenkevich·July 29, 2021

This is the third meeting of residents who want stricter controls of air pollution that plagues the Mon Valley and other Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

Health Pollution

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Trump on Earth

Solar savings for Clairton, other Pa. schools at risk from proposed federal cuts

Pa. solar installers say GOP’s U.S. House tax bill is a ‘disaster’ for business

Allegheny National Forest will increase logging by millions of board feet this year

Pollution

Allegheny County Health Department issues enforcement order against source of bad smell identified in September

Pittsburgh region saw about two months of unhealthy air days in 2020, study finds

DEP cites Shell for ‘malodors’ outside cracker plant construction site

Why It’s Taking Pennsylvania so Long to Regulate Toxic PFAS Chemicals in Drinking Water

Allegheny County Takes Aim at Air Pollution During Inversions

Kids Make a Video Celebrating ‘Litter Gitters’ in Their Community

Sunoco Pays $85,000 for Spills in 4 Counties from Its Mariner East Project

Environmental Advocates Call on Legislature to Put More Money Toward Chesapeake Bay Cleanup

Mon Valley on Pace for Twice as Many Hydrogen Sulfide Violations as Last Year

Town Hall Calls Attention to Pittsburgh Air Quality Problems