air pollution Archives

Shell air pollution soars during startup of Beaver County cracker plant

Reid Frazier·December 15, 2022

DEP issued a notice of violation to Shell for exceeding its limit for volatile organic compounds. The pollution was a result of flaring while it was starting up its ethane cracker.

Energy Pollution

U.S. Steel fined $458K by Allegheny County for air violations

Reid Frazier·December 2, 2022

That makes $9 million in penalties this year from the Allegheny County Health Department. Critics say U.S. Steel is paying to pollute.

Pollution

EPA awards more than $4 million for new air monitoring in Pa. environmental justice areas

Reid Frazier·November 4, 2022

The grants will pay for 11 projects around Pennsylvania, totaling $4.27 million, to monitor around communities overburdened by air pollution.

News

Inversions trap pollution in Allegheny County this fall, despite new rule

Reid Frazier·October 21, 2022

Despite a new rule, hydrogen sulfide and soot levels surged in Allegheny County during a weather inversion this month.

Health Pollution

An ethane cracker in western Pa. will soon start up. We answered your questions about it

Reid Frazier·October 6, 2022

You asked us questions about Shell's ethane cracker in Beaver County. We got answers about jobs, taxes, royalties, and of course, air pollution.

Economy Energy Health Pollution The Coming Chemical Boom Your Environment Update

$fracking image$

Pa. needs to finish emissions regulations for oil and gas sites by December or face sanctions, EPA says

Rachel McDevitt·October 4, 2022

Pennsylvania could lose $500-$750 million in federal highway funds if it doesn't submit plans to EPA by Dec. 16 to reduce VOCs at oil/gas sites.

Energy Pollution

DEP hears concerns over evaporator at landfill that processes frack waste

Julie Grant·September 2, 2022

Residents and others are concerned that radiation from fracking waste treated at the landfill will end up in the evaporator's air emissions.

Energy Health Water

Pennsylvania environmental group pushing for air quality monitors in environmental justice communities

Andriana Delagarza·September 1, 2022

Clean Air Council wants monitors in public areas in communities in Delaware County that have poor air quality so residents can start "talking to each other about what’s happening."

Environmental Justice Health

How Allegheny County is trying to make air quality easier to understand

Oliver Morrison·August 17, 2022

A new kind of report breaks down the science of how the department measures air pollution and shows how residents can get involved.

Health Pollution

Clairton Coke Works, near Pittsburgh, is Allegheny County's largest single source of particle pollution. Photo: Reid R. Frazier

Even moderate air pollution in Allegheny County raises ER visits for kids with asthma, study finds

Reid Frazier·May 20, 2022

The study finds Black children are among those most affected by air pollution, even on moderate or "yellow" air quality days.

Environmental Justice Health Pollution

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