REACH
History
According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2001 the seven largest companies in the Mon Valley emitted over 2.4 millions pounds of toxic chemicals into the air. Two-thirds cam from the Clariton Coke Works and another quarter of the air pollution was concentrated in Elrama at the Reliant Power Plant and Eastman Chemical.
In this mixture of air pollution there are at least 50 different toxic chemical, such as benzene, lead, mercury, ammonia, and hydrochloric acid. The government sets standards for how much of a pollutant is allow in our air at one time, but it only does this for six chemicals even though many others cause cancer, birth defects, developmental disorders, and respiratory problems.
With the help of Clean Water Action and Clean Water Fund, national non-profit organizations that work with local communities to reduce health threatening pollution, over 100 residents in the lower Mon Valley came together in August 2004 to demand cleaner air and healthier lives.
NIGNC
History
For decades, Neville Island was home to farms that exported aspragus and strawberries to some of the finest hotels and restaurants in New York City.
During World War I, the federal government seized some land on Neville Island to build an ammunition plant. World War II made Neville Island an industrial center as other industries moved onto the island.
Neville Island is home to 24 industrial facilities that emit 25% of the total amount of air pollution in Allegheny County, PA. Over 50,000 residents live on and around Neville Island. Many citizen grew tired of waiting for the government to take action on these polluters.
In 1996, Clean Water Action, a non-profit environmental organization, brought together residents from Brighton Heights, Bellevue, Avalon, Ben Avon, Ben Avon Heights, Emsworth, Kilbuck, Neville Township, Robinson, Kennedy, Stowe, and McKees Rocks to form the Neville Island Good Neighbor Committee.