Is formaldehyde a contaminant of concern from the derailment?

Last week, an East Palestine resident reported to EPA that they had a skin reaction from handling soil in their backyard after digging a swimming pool. EPA tested the soil and did not detect high hazard chemicals. The device used for testing did indicate that low levels of formaldehyde might have been present, but the results were inconclusive. Formaldehyde was not released during the train derailment. Formaldehyde breaks down quickly in the atmosphere and environment, usually within hours, and evaporates from shallow soils. Among its many uses, formaldehyde is often used as a preservative, and to make some products – including fertilizer, paper, and plywood. For more information, please refer to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry: ToxFAQs™ for Formaldehyde