Newsletter: East Palestine Train Derailment Response, 5-9-2023
Newsletter serving Serving East Palestine, Negley, Darlington, and surrounding communities
- Progress Made
- By the Numbers
- The Week Ahead
- Community Corner
- Did You Know?
- Top 3 Questions of the Week
- In Case You Missed It
- Key Community Events This Week
- Community Resource List
Progress Made
North Track Excavation and Sampling
As the north track excavation continues, teams sample excavated areas to make sure all contaminated material is removed. Sampling methods include using monitors to measure levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and sampling jars to collect soil for analysis. Samples are collected from the same spot for accuracy by both EPA and Norfolk Southern and are not mixed or analyzed together. EPA analyzes samples at the on-site laboratory. If a sample exceeds screening levels, teams go back to the sample area to take another and continue to take samples deeper in the ground to make sure all contamination is removed.
Sediment Cleaning in Leslie Run
This week Norfolk Southern will be conducting cleanup activities in Leslie Run, with part of the effort being testing the restoration methods. These restoration efforts have been designed to further stream cleanup with specific sensitivity to protecting the existing ecological community within the stream. Under expert regulatory guidance and direction from USEPA and OEPA, the activities will focus on addressing the remaining residual impacts to the sediments in the waterway to facilitate the stream and associated wildlife’s return to conditions prior to the incident.
Removal of Water Treatment Equipment from Sulphur Run
Ohio EPA and Norfolk Southern stopped treating water in Sulphur Run in April after receiving favorable water sampling data. Crews recently removed the water treatment equipment, like water pumps, air compressors, and diffusers, from the creek.
The Week Ahead
At the Derailment Site
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Liquid waste is loaded, labeled, and logged within a secondary containment area - Three air monitoring and sampling mobile laboratories will continue driving around the perimeter of the site to monitor for very low levels of butyl acrylate.
- Expect increased traffic along East Martin Street.
- Taggart Street remains closed to the public.
In the Greater Community
- U.S. EPA’s Community Welcome Center remains open to the public at 25 North Market Street in East Palestine from Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- The Way Station will host Ohio EPA for an informational session on surface water assessments and sampling at 109 West Rebecca Street on May 11, from 6 to 7 p.m.
You may have seen more air monitoring and sampling mobile laboratories driving around the perimeter of the site. They are monitoring and sampling for very low levels of butyl acrylate. These laboratories can also come to your home to sample outdoor air if you smell an odor. Call the resident hotline, 330-849-3919, and a mobile lab and team will come sample the air outside of your home. At this time, only outdoor air monitoring and sampling will be offered, ending the indoor air screening.
Community Corner
EPA loans air sensors to schools, community groups and other organizations for up to one month. These sensors measure the air for particulate matter, humidity, and temperature to help communities understand air quality and contaminant levels in indoor and outdoor air, and improve personal and public health. To learn more, including the equipment available, training, and shipping and contact information, Air Sensor Loan Programs webpage.
Did You Know?
You can take steps to improve indoor air quality and limit your exposure to pollutants. Below are three simple at-home-practices to improve indoor air quality and protect your family’s health. If you expect your home has poor indoor air quality, consider the following to reduce pollutant levels:
| If you expect your home has poor indoor air quality, consider the following to reduce pollutant levels: | |
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Ventilating Increase fresh indoor air by opening windows and doors, running air conditioners (with the vent control open), turning on bathroom and kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors, and ventilating areas near fireplaces, kitchens, and cigarette smoke. |
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Changing Air Filters Regularly Replace central heat, air conditioner, and furnace filters to better trap dust and pollutants, and install filters according to the manufacturers’ instructions. |
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Dust Control Minimize dust by wiping surfaces and washing fabrics and children’s toys regularly. |
Top 3 Questions of the Week
These questions are in response to resident concerns about vinyl chloride.
In Case You Missed It
The Way Station and First United Presbyterian Church hosted an informational session on May 4 to discuss private well water sampling. At this meeting, the Columbiana County Health District presented information about how well sampling is done, how to interpret sampling results, and how to know if contamination from the derailment could affect drinking water. View the recording of the presentation from the information session: East Palestine Well Water Sampling with Columbiana County Health District
Key Community Events This Week
On May 11, The Way Station and First United Presbyterian Church will host an informational session with Ohio EPA about surface water, including creeks and municipal water, assessments, and sampling. The session will be from 6 to 7 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church at 109 West Rebecca Street in East Palestine. Please contact EPA’s Information Line at 866-361-0526 if you have any questions.