Eyes on Health - Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community

Eyes on Health is a hub for Beaver County community members to understand how pollution may be affecting our bodies. The Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC) created this campaign to connect residents with credible information about health studies and opportunities to participate in research happening in the region. It also provides resources on environmental health impacts, guidance for talking with medical providers, and symptom tracking tools. At the same time, we fight for stronger protections through policy and enforcement — because no community should ever have to choose between their health and their home.

Environmental Justice Indicator 2024 (CDC)

Since 2019, Beaver County has experienced higher national death rates in the areas of cancer, heart disease, chronic lower respiratory disease and Alzheimer's. The PennEnviroScreen uses percentiles to show how each municipality in Beaver County compares to other places: the higher the number, the greater the health risk. For example, Vanport ranks in the 44th percentile for asthma, over the 99th for cancer, 96th for disability, and 98th for heart disease. Meanwhile, Aliquippa ranks in the 92nd percentile for residents without health insurance, meaning too many of our neighbors struggle to access care when they need it most. These numbers paint a clear picture of vulnerability — especially in a region surrounded by industrial pollution.

Join the AirSense Community Environmental Health Study

Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC), in partnership with the University of Pittsburgh and Physicians for Social Responsibility Pennsylvania (PSR PA), is preparing to launch a community-driven health study as part of Phase 2 of our AirSense project.

By filling out this form, you’re letting us know you might be interested in participating. This is not a commitment—just a first step so we can learn who’s open to hearing more as the project develops. If you have any questions, please email info@marcellusawareness.org.

Ongoing Research Studies

Train Derailment

Profiling the Post-accident Exposome in East Palestine (University of Pittsburgh, 2024)

East Palestine Community-Engaged Environmental Exposure, Health Data, and Biospecimen Bank (University of Pittsburgh, 2024)

R21-UKY East Palestine Train Derailment Health Tracking Study (University of Kentucky, 2024)

Healthy Futures Research Study: Linking somatic mutation rate with baseline exposure in East Palestine (Case Western Reserve University, 2024)

Uncovering the Short-Term Public Health Impact of Toxin Release in East Palestine, Ohio: Outcomes and Effect Modifiers (University of California, San Diego, 2024)

Responding to air pollution in disasters (RAPID) air sampling and symptom monitoring in East Palestine, OH (Texas A&M University, 2024)

PFAS

Extent of PFAS Contamination Resulting from a Fire at a Hazardous Waste Incinerator in East Liverpool, Ohio (University of Kentucky, 2023)

Studying AFFF Fate and Exposure to Pursue Outcomes that Restore Trust: SAFE PORT (University of Pittsburgh, 2022)

Check Out EHP’s Compounds of Concern Tool

Our partners at Environmental Health Project (EHP) launched a tool that provides information about compounds that could impact residents living near oil and gas development or other industrial sites. All presented information comes from reliable, peer-reviewed sources, with links available in the tool. Use the Compounds of Concern tool today! Having trouble? Contact their support team at communityscience@environmentalhealthproject.org.