PFAS CONTAMINATION Archives - PublicSource | News for a better Pittsburgh

ENVIRONMENT

Neville Island residents could have been drinking PFAS-contaminated water for a month, township officials say

By Oliver Morrison | November 8, 2019

The township engineer said workers discovered the possible contamination during a monthly meter reading on Oct. 22 and it was impossible to say at what point, over the previous month, the contamination might have occurred. It could’ve happened all at once, the day before the testing, he said, or "it could’ve come out very slowly over a period of 30 days. We really can’t answer that."

PFAS CONTAMINATION

‘Everybody is exposed to PFAS.’ To what extent and how? A video recapping the PFAS community education event

By Anna Brewer | October 21, 2019

To further educate local residents and environmental groups about the threat of PFAS, PublicSource and Environmental Health News hosted a special forum on Sept. 12 at the Marriott Hotel near the Pittsburgh International Airport. The military bases near the airport are identified sites of PFAS contamination, and the airport is a potential source of contamination as well, according to reports from former firefighters, airport records, expert scientists and a military study. The panel included: Carla Ng, a PFAS researcher at the University of Pittsburgh; Lisa Daniels, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's director of the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water; Melanie Benesh, the legislative attorney for the Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit that has done extensive PFAS research; Hope Grosse and Joanne Stanton, residents in Eastern Pennsylvania who have lived near PFAS contamination (via video chat); and Caitlin Berretta, the manager of business development at Evoqua, a company headquartered in Pittsburgh that does PFAS remediation. Editor's note: This event was part of an ongoing collaboration between Environmental Health News and PublicSource on PFAS contamination in Pennsylvania and was funded in part through the Bridge Pittsburgh Media Partnership.

PFAS CONTAMINATION

Former firefighters describe how they used foam with PFAS chemicals at Pittsburgh’s airport for decades

By Oliver Morrison | August 12, 2019

PublicSource spoke to five former firefighters who worked there between 1972 and 2010 about how the PFAS-containing firefighting foam was typically used. Their accounts, along with the military review, airport records and scientists who study PFAS, indicate that contamination at the airport is likely.

PFAS CONTAMINATION

PFAS contamination is likely at Pittsburgh airport. Airports may face legal challenges by doing nothing.

By Oliver Morrison | August 12, 2019

Airport officials say they're doing everything the law requires regarding PFAS. Experts say the law doesn't go far enough.

ENVIRONMENT

The chemicals—linked to cancer, thyroid disease, and ulcerative colitis—have been detected in a type of fertilizer used on farms throughout the state. The photo shows a cow munching on grass in a field.

How toxic PFAS chemicals could be making their way into food from Pennsylvania farms

By Kristina Marusic | July 11, 2019

Pennsylvania has already identified at least 23 sites of PFAS contamination, and officials are struggling to address the threat of contaminated drinking water throughout the state. A DEP spokesperson told EHN that given the agency’s limited resources, the Pennsylvania PFAS Action Team hasn’t even begun to consider tackling potential food contamination yet.

PFAS CONTAMINATION

A new reports shows PFAS chemical contamination at two military bases near the Pittsburgh Airport. The report says the source water for Moontownship is four miles away. (Photo by Ryan Loew/PublicSource)

Report details PFAS contamination near Pittsburgh airport that ‘likely’ extends beyond military base boundaries

By Oliver Morrison | May 28, 2019

According to a recent report from the U.S. National Guard, toxic firefighting foam has, over time, contaminated the surface and groundwater at two military bases at the southeast end of the airport, fewer than 1.5 miles from Chromack’s home.

ENVIRONMENT

Members of the 171st ARW Fire Department conduct training on July 7, 2007. Firefighting foam has been one of the largest sources of PFAS contamination that could cost the military more than $2 billion to clean up. (USAF photo taken by Msgt Stacey Barkey)

How spills of toxic firefighting foam containing PFAS escaped into streams, drains near Pittsburgh airport

By Oliver Morrison | May 28, 2019

The National Guard's report studying contamination of PFAS chemicals on two Pittsburgh-area military bases lists several times when toxic firefighting foam escaped into drainage outfalls, streams and local storm and sewage drains.

ENVIRONMENT

Why is it taking so long to regulate toxic PFAS chemicals in Pennsylvania’s drinking water?

By Kristina Marusic | April 3, 2019

Thousands of Pennsylvanians are being exposed to dangerous chemicals in their drinking water—many without knowing it—and some experts feel state agencies aren’t moving quickly enough to protect residents.

PFAS CONTAMINATION

Members of the 171st Air Refueling Wing return from overseas June 18, 2011. The Pittsburgh Air National Guard base and Pittsburgh Air Reserve Station were among the sites added recently to Pennsylvania's PFAS contamination list. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Ann Young)

Residents, experts tell PA officials that PFAS chemical cleanup will be expensive and difficult, but it’s time to act

By Oliver Morrison and Kristina Marusic | November 30, 2018

Pennsylvania environmental officials are bracing for a future filled with lawsuits and angry citizens as the state tries to get a handle on widespread chemical contamination that some other states have already begun to mitigate.

ENVIRONMENT

Hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians have been exposed to dangerous PFAS chemicals, including around Pittsburgh’s airport

By Oliver Morrison | November 27, 2018

A new Pennsylvania state task force established to address widespread chemical contamination will hold its first public meeting on Friday, as questions loom about how far the contamination has spread and what it will take to get it under control.