Groups, residents want EPA to protect Mon Valley from ‘unacceptably high’ levels of benzene pollution from U.S. Steel

Reid FrazierJanuary 4, 2023

Benzen, a known carcinogen, threatens ‘imminent danger’ to residents, the groups argue in a letter to EPA. They want action under the Clean Air Act.

HealthPollutionYour Environment Update

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

Reid FrazierDecember 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

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

Reid FrazierOctober 21, 2022

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

HealthPollution

A new rule requires Mon Valley polluters to ease up on dirty air pollution days. Will it work?

Oliver MorrisonJune 24, 2022

Clairton residents say it's hard to breathe when air pollution is bad. They say the new rule is long overdue.

HealthPollution

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

Reid FrazierMay 20, 2022

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

Environmental JusticeHealthPollution

U.S. Steel agrees to $1.5 M fine for air pollution violations at Edgar Thomson steel plant

Reid FrazierMay 17, 2022

The fines are for air violations including failing to maintain pollution control equipment and leaving doors open, allowing pollution to escape.

Environmental JusticePollution

Environmentalists and U.S. Steel clash over Allegheny County air quality regulations

Oliver MorrisonMay 13, 2022

Activists and residents say the new rules are watered down and won't protect public health. Others worry about jobs at the Clairton Coke Works.

EconomyHealth

Health department signs off on plans to avoid the worst air pollution days in the Mon Valley

Julia ZenkevichApril 1, 2022

The plans are supposed to help keep air pollution down during air inversions when pollution is trapped near the ground, causing poor air quality.

Pollution

U.S. Steel fined more than $4.5 million for air pollution in Clairton

Julia ZenkevichMarch 25, 2022

U.S. Steel is fined again for clean air violations for its Clairton Coke Works. This time it's for 831 violations between Jan. 1, 2020, and March 15, 2022.

HealthPollution

U.S. Steel fined $1.8 million for ‘rotten egg’-gas pollution near Pittsburgh

Reid FrazierMarch 8, 2022

A county monitor exceeded limits for hydrogen sulfide 153 times in the last 2 years. A study showed the pollution was "entirely" from the Clairton Coke Works.

HealthPollution