Learn the Issues
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How is wastewater being collected at the derailment site?
EPA is ensuring that water coming into contact with the derailment site does not runoff into the surrounding area. Wastewater is generated after rain falls on a contaminated area, and from cleaning and washing trucks before they leave the derailment site. Wastewater is collected with pumps and pipes, and temporarily…
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What are the large blue tanks at the derailment site?
As EPA continues overseeing cleanup work at the derailment site, two large blue lake tanks will reduce EPA’s on-site frac tank footprint. Frac tanks, for smaller quantities of liquid storage, have been used since the derailment to stage liquid before it is removed for off-site disposal.
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Are the trucks leaving the derailment site spreading contamination?
Each truck leaving the derailment site that is carrying contaminated waste is checked to ensure all material is safely secured. Also, all trucks go through a washing process before departing the site. The washing process ensures the vehicles’ wheels and undercarriage are free of dirt and mud. Street sweepers are…
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Where are trucks supposed to drive near the derailment site?
Trucks leaving or entering the site have an approved route. Currently, trucks can travel along East Taggart, North Pleasant, and East Martin. As truck traffic increases, you may notice more trucks along East Martin Street. Also, not all trucks are transporting contaminated material. Some trucks also carry clean material to…
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How is solid waste stored on-site before disposal?
After excavation, solid waste removed from the site is temporarily staged in piles. These piles are securely covered with thick tarps. Liners are also installed below the piles, to help protect the ground underneath them. Berms are also in place to ensure rainwater that falls on the piles is collected…
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How much waste was removed as part of the cleanup efforts?
In late October, EPA announced the completion of major derailment site excavation. Remaining contaminated soil and debris were removed for off-site treatment or disposal. Contact water continues to be treated in an on-site wastewater treatment system prior to removal for off-site disposal. As of November 13, over 174,000 tons of…
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Are there health risks to driving through Taggart Street?
There are no anticipated health risks along Taggart Street associated with project activities. As work proceeds, to ensure worker and community safety, the Unified Command will continue to evaluate site conditions for health and safety considerations. While traffic will be able to proceed through the work areas along Taggart Street…
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What is the process for backfilling excavated areas at the derailment site?
Areas that were excavated as part of the derailment cleanup effort will be backfilled with clean soil. Before soil is chosen as backfill it is tested for chemicals and heavy metals. While the source of backfill is still being identified, some areas have been temporarily backfilled with ballast (large gravel)…
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Are any other tests ordered?
There may be based on the evaluation by the physician or other healthcare provider. If a patient is having specific symptoms there may be other tests needed. For example, if a patient is short of breath, they may need to have a chest x-ray or other tests done to evaluate…
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How often should these screening tests be done?
We recommend having these tests every 6 months for the first year and then every year after that. This will allow the doctor or other healthcare provider to monitor changes in your health. This week’s questions are answered by Dr. Gretchen Nickell, Chief Medical Officer of the East Liverpool City…
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What kind of screening does the East Liverpool City Hospital's East Palestine Clinic offer related to the train derailment?
The screening tests are based on recommendations by specialists in toxicology to monitor anyone exposed to substances from the train derailment. The tests include urine and blood tests. A urinalysis is done that looks for problems involving the kidneys. The blood tests include a complete blood count (CBC) and a…
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Are there specific medical tests available for vinyl chloride?
Medical tests to determine if you have been exposed to vinyl chloride include measuring vinylchloride in your breath but must be collected shortly after exposure. The test is not useful for very low levels of exposure. Thiodiglycolic acid, which is a breakdown product of vinyl chloride detected in urine, can…
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I have heard about research being conducted by the University of Kentucky. What is the health tracking survey?
University of Kentucky College of Public Health researcher Dr. Erin N. Haynes and her team received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct a long-term health study with and for the residents of East Palestine and the surrounding area. The first step is to learn more…
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Does the East Palestine clinic require an appointment, or can people just show up without an appointment if they require immediate medical care.
An appointment is preferred, but if they can, they will accommodate walk-in patients. If they believe it’s an emergency, they should go to the emergency room or urgent care for medical attention. Site Status check as of June 23
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What are SVOCs (and VOCs)?
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a group of chemicals that can readily transform into vapor (a gas) at lower temperatures. Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are more likely to be liquids or solids at lower temperatures. Some examples of products that include SVOCs are many pesticides, oil-based products, and fire retardants…
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What are dioxins and how common are they?
Dioxins are found throughout the world in the environment. Dioxins are a result of industrial processes and other activities such as burning fuels like wood, coal, or oil. Dioxins are called persistent organic pollutants, meaning they take a long time to break down once they are in the environment.
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Should I let my pets and/or children play in Sulphur Run and Leslie Run?
Until the stream characterization assessment is completed, and the results analyzed, recreational use of Sulphur and Leslie Run should be avoided. While surface water is tested every three days and has not shown any contaminants at levels that exceed health standards since May 1, further investigation is needed to determine…
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Why are street cleaners no longer watering Taggart the same way they used to?
Street cleaners now lightly mist Taggart with water before using a vacuum truck to collect material from the road. Crews adopted this approach to keep sediment and dust out of the storm drains and Sulphur Run.
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Will cleaning the creeks be the last action taken at Sulphur Run and Leslie Run?
EPA’s Order requires detailed identification (characterization) of contamination in Sulphur Run and Leslie Run. The stream characterization will include surface water and sediment testing for contaminants of concern including vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate. This stream characterization will find any areas of remaining contamination and inform the next steps for…
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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…