The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "dust" ...
-
Deadly sawmill explosions
Catastrophic explosions at two Northern British Columbia sawmills in 2012 killed four workers and injured dozens of others. Wood dust was identified as a possible fuel source, but safety agencies, companies and workers said the explosive risk of dust was not well known. The Vancouver Sun launched an investigation to find out how it was possible no one was aware of this wood-dust explosion risk.
Tags: Explosions; sawmills; wood dust
-
As Mine Protections Fail, Black Lung Cases Surge
A joint investigation by NPR and the Center for Public Integrity mined government databases and analyzed together for the first time ever, coal dust enforcement records and black lung occurrence data. We compiled what appear to be the most comprehensive accounts to date of an unexpected reemergence of black lung, sharp increases among younger miners, rapid progression to the most serious stages, widespread fraudulent coal dust testing by industry, weaknesses and loopholes in federal regulations, and ineffective enforcement by federal regulators. We asked Ken Ward Jr., the veteran coal industry reporter at the Charleston Gazette, to contribute web and print stories about the history of failed government regulation, as well as fraudulent coal dust testing specifically at the Upper Big Branch mine, where 29 miners died in an explosion fueled by coal dust in 2010. Our reporting prompted the Labor Department to establish an internal team to review the agency's enforcement of coal dust regulations, according to internal agency e-mails obtained by NPR. Federal regulators stepped up coal dust enforcement, targeting mines with a history of violations. Members of Congress cited the series in calling for tougher regulations, and one group launched a petition drive demanding action.
Tags: mining; miners; black lung disease; coal dust; government
-
Sand mining surges in Wisconsin
Exploring how mining firms in the state of Wisconsin inject sand under the Earth's surface to release oil and natural gas, and the health implications of the residual dust that is released in the air as the sand comes up.
Tags: wisconsin; sand; hydrofracturing; natural gas; oil; health; concerns; implication; Department of Natural Resources
-
"Study sees parking lots dust as cancer risk"
This investigation reveals a connection between common parking lot sealants and cancer-causing dust found in American homes. Coal tar sealant, meant to "protect pavement and asphalt" from cracking and other types of damage, slowly wears away over time. People can track the substance into their homes, which researchers believe is the reason "high levels of chemicals used in the sealant" shows up in house dust. The effects are potentially damaging, especially for "young children."
Tags: coal; tar; cancer; sealant; dust; U.S. Geological Survey; FOIA; chemicals
-
Dangers in the Dust: Inside the Global Asbestos Trade
The investigation finds that a global network of industry groups has spent nearly $100 million to keep asbestos on the market. Public health authorities say this campaign is helping create new epidemics of asbestos-related disease in countries around the world.
-
Dangers in the Dust: Inside the Global Asbestos Trade
The global investigation finds that a network of industry groups spent nearly $100 million in public and private money to keep asbestos on the market. The disease-causing fiber is creating epidemics in countries such as China and India and it is estimated it will lead to the deaths of five to ten million people by 2030.
Tags: asbestos; epidemic; disease; toxic; environment
-
China in Africa: Young Workers, Deadly Mines
Reporters found a Chinese-directed mining industry in Congo that exploited teenagers to risk their lives mining ore. China promised the Congo government a $9 billion loan for access to the mines, but the payment never arrived.
Tags: lung disease; dust; false medical report; raw materials; Peru; Zimbabwe; mining inspection;
-
In Their Dust
The Baltimore Sun discovered that unbeknownst to state regulators and legislators, non-profit hospitals were suing tens of thousands of patients in local courts over unpaid bills even though those bills were covered through the rate-setting system. Some of the hospitals that filed the most lawsuits were also collecting consistent surpluses on unpaid and charity care through the rate-setting formula, something that the rate-setting commission could not explain. Patients were often railroaded through the legal system. And hospitals violated state laws or contracts with insurance companies by suing patients for amounts they were not permitted to collect.
Tags: hospitals; patient billing fraud; non-profit corruption; health care; debt collection; ground rent; hospital rates; suing patients
-
The Deadly Dust
Fox Five found that in the 1990s the National Institutes of Health was not having employees wear the required safety gear, exposing them to asbestos. Using a hidden camera, they were able to confirm that even now employees were still being exposed.
Tags: asbestos; health; safety; National Institutes of Health; NIH; federal employees; OSHA; hidden camera; inspections; regulations
-
Depleted Uranium Radioactive Dust
The investigation showed that while the U.S. military has downplayed the hazards of depleted uranium munitions. Also the "Pentagon has issued repeated denials that depleted uranium dust was a danger to the troops but...the military's own training videos told a different story." However these training videos made after the first Gulf War which warn about the dangers and show how to mitigate it, were not shown to troops before the second Gulf War. Causing soldiers to be "unknowingly exposed to this radio active dust and some claim they are sick today because of it."
Tags: military; radio active dust; residue; armor piercing munitions; Gulf War; uranium; Pentagon' depleted uranium munitions