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 "hazardous conditions" ...
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Toxic Offender: Disastrous Sewage Plant Threatens Health
This series documents Twarowski's investigation into complaints of dangerous and unhealthy conditions inside the Cedar Creek Water Pollution Control Plant in Wantaugh, NY. Employees clandestinely videotaped horrendous conditions inside the plant and Twarowski later verified their findings in person. Each visit to the vast plant turned up more safety hazards.
Tags: Environment; pollution; waste treatment; sewage; hepatitis; viruses; public health; OSHA; Public Employee Safety and Health; Department of Environmental Conservation
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Filthy Schools
This report talks about the health inspections conducted in local public schools. As the report reveals, at least 50% of the schools had violated the stipulated hygiene conditions and which could cause a serious health hazard.
Tags: heal hazard; conditions in schools; hygiene conditions in schools; health inspections in schools
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State of Security - 9.11 Two Years Later
Two years after the 9/11 attacks, The Times of Northwest Indiana looks at the region's security and how it remains unchanged post 9/11. This four part series looks at the region's special risks and found the region's water supply system had ample loopholes, especially security conditions in the local water treatment plant. They also found that the chemical plants in the area stored enough hazardous material to bring harm to all the people living in the area.
Tags: 9/11; Terrorism; Homeland Security; Security at chemical plants; Security at water supply units; local security
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Paved with problems
Duplicate of story #19055
Tags: ODOT; hazardous driving conditions; highway; bad construction; CAR; database mapping project
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Paved with problems
An eight-month Columbus Dispatch investigation of the Ohio Department of Transportation found hazardous and sometimes-deadly driving conditions for motorists passing through highway construction zones and other irregularities. The investigation shows "ODOT has moved toward greater self-regulation among contractors by reducing its staff of full-time construction inspectors 43 percent and relying more heavily on manufacturers to test own products at asphalt and concrete plants."
Tags: safety; driving conditions; routes; ODOT; construction; CAR; database mapping project
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Questionable Care
WLOS-TV reports on abuse and neglect at Pleasant Cove Assisted Living Facility, the largest adult care home in Buncombe County. A tape of the patients and the conditions at the facility at night shows safety hazards and unqualified staff. Some of the findings are that the employees have never been told how to evacuate the building and help the patients in case of fire, and that some were not licensed to handle medicines.The investigation caused for the county and state authorities to inspect the facility and downgrade its license. The Pleasant Cove's owner, who refused an on-camera interview, filed a suit against the TV station, the reporter and her bosses.
Tags: FOIA; FOI requests; elderly; disabilities; mental health; mentally handicapped; fire protection; health care
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Pipelines: The invisible danger
In a four-part investigative series American-Statesmen examines "the operation and regulation of some of the most profitable companies in America, those that operate pipelines carrying oil, gasoline, fuel oil, natural gas and other hazardous materials." The reporting team reveals the dangerous - and at times deadly - condition of the pipelines the American industry uses to transport crude oil and natural gas. The stories point to statistics showing that from 1984 through 2000 a total of 366 people have died in the USA as a result of pipeline leaks and explosions. Inspections have showed that one inactive pipeline, which passes through the populated area of Austin, has had "4,000 anomalies" caused by weak steel skin. Texas is notorious for the highest death toll, since it is the state with the most miles of pipelines. The follow-up editorials focus on the need for reforms, and suggest new federal and state regulation that would improve pipeline safety.
Tags: environment; pollution; natural resources; gas explosions; OPS- Office of Pipeline Safety; NTSB- National Transportation Safety Board; Association of Oil Pipe Lines; EPA- Environmental Protection Agency; "railroad fatigue"; federal records; corrosion; safety violations; fines; maintenance; CAR
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Ruth Ann Norton's Second Act
Ruth Ann Norton, executive director of The Coalition, is on a life time crusade to prevent lead poisoning in children. This silent killer has "been used by humans for more than 5,000 years to strengthen metal and to pigment everything from makeup to paint." However, when examining its effects, "children, including those exposed in utero, are more vulnerable to lead poisoning than adults because their systems absorb the element more readily. Once lead has affected the brain, the damage is irreversible." Norton, now with a budget of $2.6 million demands to examine the conditions of older homes and prevent lead hazards. But prior to The Coalition, Norton had other endeavors to assess. "Fourteen years ago, Norton made a series of what she now terms 'bad judgements' that led to 18 months in prison for wire fraud, wrecking her promising investment-management career along the way. The Coalition, she says, gave her a chance to redeem herself. She's not about to let it down."
Tags: lead poisoning; The Coalition; children; Maryland Department of the Environment; landlords; housing regulations
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Dangers Ignored in Mine Tragedy
The Arizona Republic investigated an array of safety violations at a copper mine near Tucson, Arizona. The series started with a story about a fatal rock-fall that caused the death of a miner. This incident led the reporters "to a disturbing story of unsafe conditions, worker intimidation and regulatory laxity surrounding the mostly Hispanic workers..." The investigation found that "Mission Mine management refused to regularly install safety bolts, used to prevent failing rocks" and that Asarco, the owning company, "cordoned off unsafe areas to keep inspectors out even though miners regularly worked there." The reporters revealed a vicious circle that didn't allow the miners to prevent the dangers. The investigation found that "mine managers ordered a supervisor ... to fire employees who complained," while the local regulatory office refused to take seriously anonymous safety complaints.
Tags: Hispanic workers; Mexico; copper; U.S. Labor Department; hazardous conditions; claims
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Crumbling Classrooms; Renegade Rigs; Inspecting the Inspectors; Where's the School Nurse;Hazard in the Sky; What's Breaking Down Bridges
This collection of stories focuses on issues from investigating the physical conditions of public school's classrooms in Massachusetts to examining dangerous bridges in need of repair.
Tags: TAPE TRANSCRIPTS; public schools; bridges; Massachusetts; semi-trucks; home inspectors