article thumbnail

Human, Bird, or Dog Waste? Scientists Parsing Poop To Aid DC’s Forgotten River

KFF Health News

Because of the health risks, swimming hasn’t been legal in the Anacostia for more than half a century. Climate change is causing more intense rainstorms in Washington, so even after construction is complete in 2030, Wone said, untreated stormwater will be discharged into the river, though much less frequently.

article thumbnail

Trash Incinerators Disproportionately Harm Black and Hispanic People

KFF Health News

Residents feared the site would not only sink their property values and threaten the environment, but also potentially harm people’s health. Even more, the locations appeared to have been selected in a way that worried civil rights and environmental advocacy groups.

article thumbnail

How a Proposed Federal Heat Rule Might Have Saved These Workers’ Lives

KFF Health News

“Employee suffers from heat exhaustion while doing landscaping,” said an investigation into the incident from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Laborers have suffered as summers have grown progressively hotter with climate change. ” If they didn’t feel safe, they could change jobs.