That looks to be the case following a March 20 explosion at the U.S. Steel plant in Clairton, Pennsylvania, south of Pittsburgh. Tragically, two people died, and more than a dozen others were injured. The accident occurred at one of North America’s largest coking facilities. This facility is a major part of the steelmaking process as it converts coal to coke. This public outcry was warranted, given the tragic accident’s air quality and public health implications.
The explosion happened at approximately 2:00 PM local time on a weekday when workers were present at the facility along the Monongahela River. Witnesses reported hearing a thunderous explosion. A few minutes later, a dark plume of smoke continued to billow from the plant, forcing local emergency management officials to spring into action. First responders quickly arrived on the scene to provide aid to the injured. They immediately opened an investigation to determine what caused the explosion.
The U.S. Steel plant in Clairton run on lax regulations. It transforms coal inside specialized ovens at temperatures exceeding 1500 degrees Fahrenheit. This process produces steel with fewer impurities that might otherwise compromise the strength of steel. Yet the facility has a controversial environmental history, having in the past undergone legal actions over air pollution violations. In fact, just last year, U.S. Steel agreed to pay $8.5 million to settle a lawsuit involving pollution from the Clairton plant.
Worries about air quality aren’t a new issue for residents of Clairton. Then in 2018, a fire on Christmas Eve severely damaged the plant’s pollution-control equipment. As part of the fugitive methane incident, there were substantial, uncontrolled releases of sulfur dioxide into the air. A few years ago, Dr. Deborah Gentile led a study that revealed a pretty frightening trend. The fallout from the disaster more than doubled the patients seeking emergency medical treatment for asthma in surrounding communities.
After the latest blast, Allegheny County health authorities sounded alarm bells, warning nearby residents to avoid exertion outdoors. The county’s health department initially advised those living within a one-mile radius of the plant to stay indoors and secure all windows and doors. Make no mistake—residents are fighting for their ability to breathe. In fact, they have described the air quality as so acidic that it smells of rotten eggs.
With increased monitoring and pressure from the community, Allegheny County has finally committed to increasing monitoring of air quality surrounding the U.S. Steel plant. This order is the next step in their investigation into the July 10 explosion. Officials are especially concerned about what are called hazardous air pollutants that could have been released in the crash.
The Clairton plant is one of four other major U.S. Steel facilities in Pennsylvania. As worries about air quality increase, the public is increasingly calling for tougher rules for surveillance. A new proposed federal regulation would require that fence-line monitoring for hazardous air pollutants be conducted at the Clairton facility. This requirement is identical to requirements already established for refineries nationwide. Such measures could help prevent future incidents and improve transparency regarding air quality for nearby residents.
Investigations continue to determine the cause of the explosion and assess the response and recovery efforts. In the meantime, community members are dealing with trauma as well as anxiety about their ongoing safety and health. This tragic loss of life underscores the grave hazards inherent in industrial activities. It importantly underscores the need for rigorous environmental safeguards, especially equity protections.
