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 "environmental pollution" ...
-
Hear No Evil, Smell No Evil
A comparison between EPA and TCEQ records shows that the company gave a far lower emissions figure to state officials than the smokestack monitor registered. Until reporters started raising questions nearly a year ago, TCEQ officials said they had no idea of the extent of TXU energy company's emissions.
Tags: pollution; sulfur emissions; TXU Energy; Environmental Protection Agency; EPA; Clean Air Act
-
Danger Below
This investigation began with citizen complaints about New York State's Department of Environmental Conservation. Many of the complaints concern old toxic waste disposal sites; the agency does not make sure the contaminated groundwater and soil are completely cleaned, nor does the agency communicate with people affected by the sites. The DEC's shortcomings may have stemmed, in part, from its diminished resources and power under the administration of governor George Pataki.
Tags: environment; toxic waste; FOI; EPA; state government; pollution
-
Meadowlands for Sale
"The stories examined how a $1-billion plan to clean up and reclaim a large swath of the Meadowlands -- New Jersey's infamous toxic swamps and trash dumps -- lead to an environmental disaster underwritten by the state's taxpayers." The reporters found that the plan was plagued with corruption. For example, the developers who were supposed to be cleaning the area made $30 million by opening it up to dumpers. The Meadowlands site is now more polluted than when the project began.
Tags: development; developers; EnCap; toxic waste; garbage; environment; EPA; state government
-
Toxic Town
"A six-week investigation into the environmental contamination and public-health effects in Somerville, Texas caused byt a 110-year-old- wood-treatment facility that for three decades was the nationa's largest manufacturer of railroad cross ties."
Tags: Cancer; carcinogen; air pollution; incinerator; creosote-treated wood; Dennis DAvis; James Dahlgren
-
Exposed: The Toxic Chemistry of Everyday Products and What's at Stake for American Power
This book investigates the response by U.S. companies and the U.S. government to the raising of environmental health standards by the European Union. The book reveals the Bush Administration's policy of retreating from environmental responsibility, while the rest of the world embraces it. The book explores the effects of this attitude on the environment, health of U.S. citizens and international relations.
Tags: environment; international relations; foreign affairs; chemicals; pollution; waste; environmental affairs; international trade;
-
"The Middle Kingdom's Dilemma" and "China's Pollution Revolution"
In this series, the author investigates "the emergence of a grassroots environmental movement in Communist China." In "The Middle Kingdom's Dilemma," the author reveals a plan by the State Council to divert an amount of water that is greater than the total volume of water from the Yangtze River. In "China's Pollution Revolution," Larson writes about a poluuting factory and its negative impact on nearby residents.
Tags: Communist China; grassroots environmental movement; water shortages; pollution; environmental laws; international
-
Marshall Plant State's Top Mercury Polluter
The PPG Industries Chemical Plant in Natrium, Marshall County, "is West Virginia's largest source of mercury, a toxic metal that can poison the brain and is especially dangerous to children and developing fetuses." Reports filed with the Environmental Protection Agency reveal the plant "emit[s] more than 1,200 pounds of mercury into the air." The plant pumps salty water "through vats of pure mercury" to make chlorine and "only nine U.S. plants still use this 111-year-old process."
Tags: mercury; chlorine; toxic chemicals; chemical plants; West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection; Environmental Protection Agency; EPA; PPG Industries
-
LNG Controversy Dogs Every Step of the Policy Process
Reporting for the Malibu Times at first, Hans Laetz looks into Australian Energy Conglomerate BHP Billiton's plans to "build a liquified natural gas (LNG) terminal floating off the local coast." But after two months, Laetz was removed from coverage by the Times amid criticism, possibly due to the fact BHP Billiton was an advertising client of the Times. He then was picked up by the Malibu Surfside News, and continued to tell a tale of the various aspects of the deal: how BHP got a smog waiver after White House officials overruled local Environmental Protection Agency officials, the safety and pollution risks of the project; citizens' letters supporting the project to the government, which turned out mostly to be fake; and the opposition of state and federal parks officials to the project.
Tags: BHP Billiton; liquified natural gas; Hans Laetz; environmental issues; Environmental Protection Agency; paddleout protest
-
Public Pays for Toxic Trails
Reporters Sarah Ruby and James Burger look into the reason why California's Kern County has so many toxic waste dumps. They found that many companies came to the county as recycling companies in recent decades, promising to turn hazardous waste into road base or other useful things. Instead, they made toxic dump piles. The Kern County Health Department had turned a blind eye to these activities, trying to "work" with the companies, but this strategy failed. BY the time the state had to step in to try to solve the problem, the culpable companies were gone, and taxpayers had to foot the cleanup bill.
Tags: Toxic waste; pollution; Kern County, CA; Bakersfield, CA; environmental health
-
In Harm's Way
The Houston Chronicle funded and conducted a study into air quality at 84 homes and 16 public places in four Southwest Texas communities adjacent to major refineries and/or chemical plants. The newspaper also analyzed more than a decade's worth of air pollution data collected by the state. The effort revealed that residents in this area were being exposed to elevated levels of dangerous and cancer-causing pollutants. Officials were aware of this and some of their own employees charged with monitoring the air were getting sick themselves. The study was able to pinpoint the culprit, adjacent industries.
Tags: pollution; industrial waste; public safety; pollutants; benzene; 1; 3-butadiene; air toxins; Texas Release Inventory; Texas Emissions Events; Texas Commission on Environmental Quality