6 months since the East Palestine train derailment, concerns remain for health and railway safety Julie GrantAugust 3, 2023 Residents, independent researchers and railway advocates gave the community an update at the six-month anniversary of the Norfolk Southern derailment. HealthPollutionTransportation
ER visits plummet after Shenango coke works on Neville Island closed Reid FrazierAugust 3, 2023 In the years after the plant on Neville Island in Allegheny County closed in 2016, ER visits for cardiovascular disease dropped by 61 percent. HealthPollution
$5M from Shell to be used to monitor air, educate community in wake of air quality violations Glynis BoardJuly 28, 2023 The funds come from a settlement with Shell over air quality volitions at its Beaver County ethane cracker. EnergyPollutionThe Coming Chemical Boom
Sunoco Pipeline ordered to pay $660,000 for environmental violations, DEP says Zoë ReadJuly 28, 2023 The violations are for water contamination across the state caused by the company’s Mariner East pipeline construction project between 2018 and 2021. EnergyPollutionWater
When a Mon Valley Air Pollution Episode alert is issued, whose air is at risk? Jillian ForstadtJuly 21, 2023 When a warning is in effect, industrial facilities in the Mon Valley must limit their activities, and residents, especially vulnerable ones, are discouraged from spending time outdoors. HealthPollution
Learning to live with wildfires, as climate change heats up Anne DanahyJuly 21, 2023 Wildfires in Canada are breaking records this year. A Penn State fire ecology expert talks about what role climate change is playing. Climate ChangeHealthPollution
Norfolk Southern finishes soil remediation under East Palestine train tracks Abigail BottarJuly 7, 2023 Norfolk Southern has completed soil remediation under both tracks in East Palestine where the February train derailment took place. PollutionTransportation
What you can do to protect yourself from wildfire smoke Justin StewartJune 27, 2023 Wildfire smoke exacerbates the air quality and poses a significant risk for people with asthma. But there are some ways to stay safe. HealthPollution
EPA assures farmers that it’s safe to grow food near East Palestine train derailment Julie GrantJune 16, 2023 The agency says the results of extensive testing for chemicals reveal nothing worrying for farmers or consumers. Food and AgricultureHealthPollutionYour Environment Update
PWSA receives $52.4M EPA loan to continue drinking water system improvements Jillian ForstadtJune 9, 2023 The EPA loan came through the federal Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, which aims to modernize aging treatment systems. EconomyEnvironmental JusticePoliticsPollutionWater