Clairton Coke Works Pollutants Impacting the Health of Pittsburgh Neighborhoods

The attorneys in Weitz & Luxenberg’s Environmental Litigation unit are currently investigating cases of individuals living or working in the communities of Clairton, Glassport and surrounding neighborhoods near the Clairton Coke Works in Pittsburgh whose health has been affected by air pollution and fumes from the Coke Works.

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Countless Americans associate the City of Pittsburgh with Steeler fans waving Terrible Towels at Heinz Field and the image of Sidney Crosby and the Penguins hoisting the Stanley Cup.  But for those who live and work in Pittsburgh, hometown pride includes the vision of the Monongahela River landscape, inclines carrying passengers from Mt. Washington to Station Square and the countless coal barges on the Mon, Allegheny and Ohio rivers.

For countless generations of Pittsburghers who have worked and lived near steel mills or coke processing plants, while they can also take pride in being part of Pittsburgh’s well-earned reputation for being an industry leader in the production of steel and coal, they also face the high risk of illness from exposure to toxins and air pollutants the mills and coke ovens release into the environment.

Cancer Rates in Clairton and Glassport Among Highest in the Nation
Area residents, business owners and employees who work at the Clairton Coke Plant are exposed on a daily basis to the fumes coming from the plant.  A number of dangerous chemicals, including nitrates, ammonia, benzene and other hazardous air pollutants have been released into the air in the Clairton and Glassport areas.

Because of the high levels of these contaminates, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has noted a significant increase in the number of men and women diagnosed with cancer in Allegheny County as compared to state-wide and national numbers.

Clairton and Glassport have the unfortunate distinction of having the third and fourth highest cancer risk rates in the nation. In addition, Allegheny County rates for prostate, breast, lung, colon and bladder cancers and non-Hodgkin lymphoma are significantly higher than state-wide and national averages.

Children Also at Risk
Allegheny County also shares the sad distinction of having higher childhood cancer rates than Pennsylvania and national statistics. A USA Today survey of air quality in the U.S. shows that several area schools rank in the first percentile as having the worst air quality in the nation, including schools in the Clairton and South Allegheny School Districts, as well as Catholic and private schools in both Clairton and Glassport.

Our Lawyers Are Ready to Help
If your health, or the health of a loved one has been adversely impacted by the air pollution in your neighborhood, please contact our lawyers us for a free review of your possible air pollution illness lawsuit.

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see also:

Cancer Rates Clairton Coke Works Cancer | Weitz & Luxenberg
Air toxins from Pennsylvania's Clairton Coke Works linked to cancer

Air Pollution Mon Valley Pennsylvania Air Pollution | Weitz & Luxenberg
Environmental attorney for air pollution in Allegheny County, Pa.

Health and Pollution Studies Clairton | Weitz & Luxenberg
Free case review: Clairton air pollution linked to high cancer rates.