Learn the Issues

After track work is complete, additional cleanup and assessments will continue. This includes shipping solid and liquid wastes off-site, excavating in areas where rail cars were staged and scrapped, and sampling and monitoring groundwater, soil, surface water, and sediment.

Last published: May 6, 2026

What are the terms used to describe the length of exposure to substances?

Acute exposure is any contact with a substance that occurs once or for up to 14 days. Intermediate exposure is contact occurring for more than 14 days but less than one year. Chronic exposure is contact occurring for longer than one year.

Last published: May 6, 2026

What is the research workshop that National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the national academies are planning in East Palestine and the greater community?

NIH is putting plans in place to work with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to hold a workshop. The purpose of the workshop is to explore potential research priorities to understand the short- and longterm health impacts of the Norfolk Southern Train Derailment. The workshop will be…

Last published: May 6, 2026

What else can cause urine to test positive for thiodiglycolic acid?

Thiodiglycolic acid is commonly found in general populations who have not been exposed to vinyl chloride. Some sources can include: Certain foods including raw onions, meat, poultry, and seafood. Some medications, including Zyrtec, and vitamins. Alcoholic beverages. Smoke, including from wood fireplaces, cooking, and cigarettes. Some household products including paints…

Last published: May 6, 2026

If I get a urine test for vinyl chloride, what does that indicate?

Urine tests show the level of thiodiglycolic acid–a break-down product of vinyl chloride. A complete lab report will show your thiodiglyocolic acid results compared to the normal range commonly found in people in the United States. But this test does not reliably indicate exposure to vinyl chloride. There are several…

Last published: May 6, 2026

Is anybody sampling State Line Lake and the pond near the derailment site?

Norfolk Southern collects daily samples from the surface water near the derailment site, north of the tracks. State Line Lake flows through a wetland area and into the surface water area where the samples are taken. The agencies are reviewing all surface water results and Norfolk’s proposed plan for characterizing…

Last published: May 6, 2026

Can I go visit the derailment site?

No. The site will remain closed to the public until work is completed for health and safety reasons. If you missed our “Track Talk” information session on May 18, the session showed a video and several photos of progress at the site.

Last published: May 6, 2026

Where do the dust control trucks get their water that they spray on the road?

The trucks get the water from the city water supply. It’s pumped into the truck from a fire hydrant on Taggart Road.

Last published: May 6, 2026

If I have concerns about wildlife, who do I contact?

Contact the following agencies if you have concerns or questions about wildlife: OHIO RESIDENTS: Ohio Division of Natural Resources, 1-800-WILDLIFE or (800) 945-3543 PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENTS: The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Centralized Dispatch Center at 1-833-PGC-WILD or 1-833-742-9453

Last published: May 6, 2026

2016 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners: Innovators

Profiles of the winners of the 2016 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards in the Chemical Innovators category

2016 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Award Winners: Retailers

Profiles of the winners of the 2016 Safer Choice Partner of the Year Awards in the Retailers category