Public News Service

The 2014 water crisis due to algal blooms had an economic impact of around $65 million. (Elena/Adobe Stock)

Climate change contributes to shift in Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms

By Kathiann Kowalski for Inside Climate News.Broadcast version by Farah Siddiqi for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Networ…

A Great Plains Institute study found health benefits valued at $63.8 million to $144 million from reducing harmful co-pollutants by installing carbon capture technologies in the Midwest region. (Ramon Cliff/Adobe Stock)

Carbon capture: Balancing industry, environment in Ohio

Ohio is becoming a focal point in the fight against climate change, thanks in part to its industrial might and a growing interest in carbon capture …

A flooded site at the Austin Master Services toxic-waste storage facility in Martin's Ferry, Ohio. (Jill Hunkler)

Court issues restraining order against fracking waste-storage facility

Environmental groups say more should be done to protect people's health from what they call toxic, radioactive sludge. A court granted a temporary …

Drone footage showed the freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Wikimedia Commons)

East Palestine concerns linger over vinyl chloride exposure

Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, say they continue to live with health problems, including rashes, nosebleeds and respiratory issues following last …

From 2017 to 2019, Ohio ranked 46th among 50 states for pollution exposure, including exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) pollution. (Halfpoint/Adobe Stock)

Researchers link air pollution with dementia risk

Recent data ranks Columbus as the most polluted major city in the U.S., highlighting concerns about common pollutants, like smog and vehicle …

At least two-thirds of plastics plants examined in a new Environmental Integrity Project report, or 32 out of 50 built or expanded over the last decade, have received tax breaks or subsidies from state and local governments worth a total of nearly $9 billion. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Fast-growing plastics industry major source of air pollution

The plastics industry is releasing illegal pollution but rarely faces discipline for environmental permit violations, according to a new report by …

According to the American Lung Association, children face special risks from air pollution because their airways are small and still developing, and because they breathe more rapidly and inhale more air relative to their size than do adults. (Adobe Stock)

Nurses voice support for new EPA light/medium vehicle air pollution rules

The Environmental Protection Agency has set new air pollution standards under the federal Clean Air Act for cars and light/medium vehicle models from …

There are nearly 1 million acres of modern coal mines in 12 states that have not yet been reclaimed, according to analyses by Appalachian Voices and the Western Organization of Resource Councils. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Advocates propose solutions to stop zombie mines in Ohio, other states

Advocates from coal-mining communities are proposing a roadmap to help address and prevent so-called "zombie mines," - abandoned mine lands on hold in…

Research shows people living in rural areas and communities of color are more likely to worry about exposure to air pollution. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Cleveland expands local air monitoring program

The City of Cleveland wants new community air advisers to help expand air monitoring in historically redlined neighborhoods. Christina Yoka…

Appalachia is likely the source of more system-wide fossil fuel methane emissions than any other region in the United States, according to the Ohio River Valley Institute. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio stands to gain from EPA's new methane rules

The Environmental Protection Agency is clamping down on methane emissions, a harmful pollutant and driver of climate change Appalachian communities …

Methane waste occurs when gas is leaked, vented or flared from oil and gas infrastructure. (Adobe Stock)

Report: In Ohio, much industry-produced methane goes to waste

Ohio oil and gas companies wasted $93 million worth of natural gas in 2019, enough to meet the yearly energy demands of the state's most populous …

Harmful chemicals including lead, particulate matter, pesticides, and phthalates added to plastics, impair brain development in children. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio children are being harmed by toxic chemicals

Children of color and from low-income families in Ohio and across the nation are not only exposed to more dangerous toxic chemicals including lead…

Fracking-related activities release an estimated 450,000 tons of pollutants into the air each year nationwide, which can have immediate public health effects.(Adobe Stock)<br />

Activists rally over pending fracking on Ohio's state lands

A governor-appointed commission could begin approving fracking leases on Ohio's state lands as early as next month. Jenny Morgan a volunteer for the …

The Environmental Protection Agency is proposing standards to regulate HAP emissions from five unmeasured fugitive and intermittent particulate sources that currently are not regulated. (Clive Winward/Wirestock Creators/Adobe Stock)

EPA's Last Call on Comments About Rules for Blast Furnaces is Today

Emission standards for blast furnaces such as the iron and steel mills in Ohio have not been updated in years. The Environmental Protection Agency …

$New polling shows nearly two-thirds of Ohioans are opposed to or unsure about fracking. (Adobe Stock)$

Polls: Ohioans Skeptical More Fracking Would Bring Benefits

At a time when Ohio state lawmakers are pushing to expand fracking on public lands, polling in recent years finds most residents are either strongly …

Ohio Army National Guard and Ohio State Highway Patrol officers assist with traffic control after the train derailment in East Palestine. (Flickr/Ohio National Guard)<br />

East Palestine Residents Want FEMA to Address Long-Term Needs

Four months after the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, residents say they continue to struggle with ongoing health problems, and face an …

Train cars containing hazardous chemicals burned after a Feb. 3 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. (Jamie Cozza)<br /><br />

How Dangerous Was Ohio Chemical Train Derailment?

By Andrew J. Whelton for The Conversation.Broadcast version by Nadia Ramlagan for Ohio News Connection for the Public News Service-Conversation …

East Palestine, Ohio, resident Kyla Rose Cozza, 3, plays in her backyard just a few steps away from one of the creeks now contaminated with toxic chemicals after a massive train derailment Feb. 3. (Jamie Cozza)<br />

Lacking Answers, East Palestine Residents Plan to Test Soil, Water

East Palestine, Ohio, residents have been given the green light to return home, but many believe it is not safe to do so. They're experiencing skin …

Exposure to polluted sites such as coal-ash ponds can cause cancer, respiratory issues and other health problems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (Adobe Stock)

EPA Civil Cases Against Industrial Polluters at Record Low

The Environmental Protection Agency's enforcement of federal pollution rules has plummeted. In 2022, the agency referred 88 cases to the Justice …

$A 2019 blowout at an Ohio fracking well released an estimated 60,000 tons of methane gas. <br />(Ohio State Highway Patrol)$

Ohio's Low-Producing Wells Leave Huge Methane Footprint

They account for a minuscule amount of U.S. oil and gas production, but new research found low-producing oil and gas wells have a large methane …

Acid mine drainage from surface mining in eastern Ohio is just one of the environmental hazards of abandoned mine sites. (Jack Pearce/Flickr)

Mine Reclamation Funding: A 'Game Changer' for Eastern Ohio

Efforts to rectify the lingering environmental legacy of coal mining in Ohio are getting a big financial boost. The new federal infrastructure law …

Oil and gas companies dispose of liquid waste in injection wells. (eleonimages/Adobe Stock)

Groups Say Ohio Needs to Strengthen Rules for Oil and Gas Waste

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Groups say new draft rules proposed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) do not go far enough to properly regulate …

A majority of Ohio's housing stock was built prior to the prohibition of lead-based paint. (AdobeStock). <br />

"There's No Safe Level of Lead in Kids"

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There is a heightened effort this week to inform Ohio families about the dangers of a silent poison. Because lead is invisible and …

There are no state or federal regulations for toxic PFAS chemicals found in drinking water. (AdobeStock)

Congress Takes Action on Toxic "Forever Chemicals"

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A bill to tackle contamination from so-called "forever chemicals" known as Perfluorinated and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) is …

Ohio is among roughly a dozen states that allow brine waste from the energy industry to be used to melt ice on roadways. (NCDOTCommunications/Flickr)

Observers Raise Red Flags about Expanding Toxic Brine Use in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Oil and gas industry waste that's used to melt ice on roads could become more prevalent in Ohio. Brine from conventional wells can …

Toxic algae blooms driven by excess nutrients give the waters of Lake Erie a greenish hue. (Adobe Stock)

Industrial Ag Runoff Seen as Major Threat to Lake Erie

TOLEDO, Ohio -- Groups advocating for clean water say they're facing an uphill battle trying to prevent animal manure and other pollution from …

Researchers estimate about 8 million metric tons of plastic enter the ocean every year. (Adobe Stock)<br />

Plastic Pollution Predicted to Proliferate Amid Pandemic

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- As millions of people pledge to go plastic-free this month as part of the Sierra Club's "Plastic-Free July" campaign, the …

A June 20 satellite image of Lake Erie's Western Basin. (NOAA)

Smaller Lake Erie Algal Bloom on Tap for 2020

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Forecasters continue to predict that the annual harmful algal bloom on Lake Erie will be smaller this year than it was in 2019…

The pesticide chlorpyrifos has been linked to brain damage and other health defects in children.<br />(AdobeStock)

Maker of Controversial Pesticide to Stop Production

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio farmers who use a controversial pesticide on their corn, soybeans and other crops will need to find another product next year …

A new report says sometimes even the workers at oil and gas wells are unaware of the chemicals being used on-site. (Andy Ilmberger/Adobe Stock)

Report: Secret Fracking Chemicals a Concern for Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Troubling information has been uncovered about the use of so-called classified chemicals in fracking operations in Ohio…

NOAA's Lake Erie algal bloom forecast position for July 31. (noaa.gov)

Large Algal Bloom Grows in Lake Erie

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A midsummer algal bloom again is turning western Lake Erie's waters green. While it's predicted to become fairly severe…

FERC is accepting public comment on its environmental assessment of The Buckeye Xpress pipeline project. (FERC)

Ohio Groups Question Pipeline Expansion

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Despite an agreeable review from regulators, some Ohio residents and organizations still object to a proposed pipeline …

Nearly $2 billion worth of methane gas is lost each year through flaring and leaks at oil- and gas-well sites in the United States. (Tim Evanson/Flickr)

New Federal Bill Targets Methane Gas Leaks

COLUMBUS, Ohio - New federal legislation could help Ohio in its efforts to reduce methane gas leaks from natural-gas facilities. Methane is …

An estimated 30 million pounds of toxic chemicals are dumped into the Ohio River illegally each year.<br />(raschau/Flickr)

Fight Continues for Clean Water on the Ohio River

COLUMBUS, Ohio - A long-awaited vote is expected this week on the future of water-quality standards for the Ohio River. The Ohio River Valley Water …

Researchers say children are more susceptible to the negative health impacts of pesticides commonly used on conventionally grown foods. (@darby/Twenty20.com)

Report on Toxic Foods Intensifies Calls for Organic Shift

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new food-safety report is underlining the need for increased supports to grow organic food production in Ohio. The study …

Scientists say there are health risks associated with disposable plastics. (MabelAmber/Pixabay)

Prohibiting Plastic Bag Bans in Ohio: Who Stands to Benefit?

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio lawmakers are considering legislation that would prohibit communities from banning plastic bags. But who stands to …

The 2015 Clean Power Plan was projected to cut carbon emissions to 19 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. (William Alden/Flickr)

Critics Say Trump Coal Rules Step Backward for Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The public can now comment on the Trump administration's proposal to replace the Clean Power Plan, an Obama-era rule aimed at …

Health experts contend that air pollution generated by continued dependence on fossil-fuel-burning cars comes at a cost to everyone's health and bottom line. (D.L./Flickr)

Opponents React to Clean Car Standards Rollback

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The EPA on Thursday announced a proposed role that would freeze fuel-economy standards, and hold them to 2020 levels. This …

Jill Antares Hunkler of Belmont County lives near the Humphryes MarkWest compressor station. (John Morgan)

Report Highlights Ohio Mom on Front Lines of Oil and Gas Boom

COLUMBUS, Ohio — As federal officials roll back regulations for pollution from oil and gas facilities, a new report highlights the struggles of …

Nearly one in three Ohio adults say they've tried an e-cigarette. (Lindsay Fox/ecigarrettereviewed.com)

Data Shows E-Cigarette Use Rising in Ohio

CINCINNATI – The health risks of e-cigarettes are still unclear, yet a new survey finds the nicotine products are growing in popularity in Ohio…

A child dies every 12 days in the United States from accidental medicine poisoning. (Pixabay)

Expert Advice on Averting Child Poisonings

COLUMBUS, Ohio – According to the CDC, poisoning is the primary cause of death from injuries in the U.S. March is Poison Prevention Month…

Algal blooms in Lake Erie threaten drinking water, lake health and local economies. (Aerial Associates Photography, Inc. by Zachary Haslick/NOAA/Flickr)

Lake Erie's Toxic Algae: Does Ethanol Mandate Make it Worse?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The huge algal bloom in Lake Erie is receding, but clean water advocates say the annual problem won't go away without changes in …

An updated map shows more than 780,000 Ohio kids attend schools near facilities that can emit methane, volatile organic compounds and other pollutants. (Oil and Gas Threat Map 2.0)

Map Highlights Where Ohio Kids Are Exposed to Oil, Gas Emissions

COLUMBUS, Ohio – As the Environmental Protection Agency backs away from limiting toxic emissions from oil and gas wells, Ohio environmental …

A 2014 well pad fire in Monroe County occurred not far from Ohio's Wayne National Forest. (FracTracker Alliance)

Report Highlights Fracking's Threat to Ohio's National Forest

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio's Wayne National Forest is among the country's public lands most threatened by fossil fuel interests, according to a new …

Teri Utz Bersee of Logan County says the Nexus pipeline would threaten the future of her organic farm. (Bersee and Utz Heirloom Farm)<br />

Nexus Pipeline Threatens Livelihoods of Ohio Organic Farmers

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Some Ohio landowners say the construction of a proposed natural-gas pipeline would plow up their livelihood. The Nexus Pipeline …

Congress is considering a bill that would impact regulations that protect water, food, medicine and the environment. (Pixabay)

Opponents: Bill Could Unravel Consumer Protections

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Regulatory Accountability Act (S-951) sounds innocuous enough, but consumer and public-health advocates say it's anything …

The Clean Power Plan was expected to cut more than 1 billion tons of carbon emissions (Pixabay)

Ohio Groups Will Fight Trump Climate Order

COLUMBUS, Ohio – President Donald Trump's executive order rolling back climate regulations, including the EPA's Clean Power Plan, isn't getting …

In February, 128 people called poison centers in Ohio regarding the use of opioids. (Cincinnati Children's)

Poison Control Centers on Front Lines of Ohio Opioid Crisis

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio's opioid epidemic has not let up, with reports of drug overdose deaths making daily headlines. Poison control centers …

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OH: Toxics