PITTSBURGH NEWS ROUNDUP

BY JAMIE WIGGAN // JAMIE@PGHCITYPAPER.COM

Environment Health Experts Reassure Pittsburghers Over East Palestine Risks

APANEL OF ENVIRONMENTAL and health experts convened by the Carnegie Science Center said Pittsburghers shouldn’t be concerned about the impact of the Feb. 3 train derailment on their health and well-being.

But closer to the crash site in East Palestine, Ohio, questions about the short and long-term impacts of air, soil, and water contamination remain unanswered. The panellists — environmental and occupational health scientists based at the University of Pittsburgh — rec - and taking precautions with using well water for anyone within close proximity to the site.

What is close proximity? While Pittsburgh is out of the danger zone, just how far the area of risk extends remains unclear.

“I think there is no magic number in terms of the distance,” said Peng Gao, assistant professor of environmental and occupational health at Pitt. “What I can say is just if you are closer to the accident site, you’ve got a higher chance of disinvestment that she’s working to reverse while in Congress.

"Black, Brown and working class communities in Pittsburgh have suffered from the legacy of redlining and disinvestment that’s left folks in our North Side neighborhoods isolated for far too long,” Lee said in a press statement. “I was sent to Congress to right wrongs like this one because our economic future depends on us building a Pittsburgh that’s livable, safe, and accessible for ALL people. I’m proud to partner with Senator Casey to deliver Infrastructure investments that will make life easier for working families and small businesses here in Western PA.” •