Newsletter: East Palestine Train Derailment Response, 5-16-2023
Newsletter serving Serving East Palestine, Negley, Darlington, and surrounding communities
- Progress Made
- The Week Ahead
- Community Corner
- Did You Know?
- Site Status Check
- Top 3 Questions of the Week
- In Case You Missed It
- Safety Minute
- Key Community Events This Week
- Community Resource List
Progress Made
North Track Excavation Reaches the Halfway Point
Crews are making cleanup progress along the north track, removing the ballast, or railbed, all the way down to the ground layer. Next, heavily contaminated soil is excavated and stockpiled. Then, the excavated areas are divided into grids to ensure proper sampling of the ground layer. Analytical results are compared to the clearance values in the work plan. If necessary, more soil excavation and sampling occur until sample results are at or below the clearance values. Once ballast and soil are removed, stockpiled, and sampled, this material is sent to the appropriate regulated disposal facilities. Clean soil and ballast are then backfilled into the excavated and cleaned areas.
In the Moment Videos
EPA released several in the moment videos to highlight different parts of the train derailment response. These short videos feature EPA experts explaining topics such as air monitoring, soil sampling, truck decontamination, and laboratory testing. These videos can be found on the “EPA Regions” “EPA Regions” YouTube page.
The Week Ahead
At the Derailment Site
- Excavation will continue on the north track. Sampled and cleared areas will be backfilled with clean material.
- Air monitoring mobile laboratories will continue driving around the perimeter of the site to monitor for butyl acrylate.
- Engineering controls have been implemented to help control dust.
- Taggart Street remains closed to the public.
In the Greater Community
- EPA’s Community Welcome Center at 25 North Market Street in East Palestine remains open to the public Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed on Sundays).
- The Way Station will host EPA for an update on site progress at 109 West Rebecca Street on May 18, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
- Cleanup will continue down Leslie Run.
- Residents may notice air monitoring vehicles around the work site in the evenings. These vehicles are there to monitor the air quality.
Community Corner
The East Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual street fair from May 24 to 27. During this time, Market Street will be closed to vehicle traffic all day for organizations to set up at the fair. Local businesses and organizations will offer rides, games, and food during the fair. EPA will host a booth for visitors with educational materials and activities for children.
Did You Know?
Site Status Check
as of May 12
-
North Track:
Estimated 50% complete
South Track: In operation -
Leslie Run: Cleanup work started and will continue
-
Sulphur Run: Bypass carries upstream water past derailment site
- 16.6 million est. gallons of wastewater shipped offsite
- 39,348 est. tons of solid waste shipped offsite
Data Validation
EPA uses validated data to help make decisions regarding cleanups. Data validation is independent from sampling or analysis. The validation of data requires that appropriate quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures are followed. In addition, proper documentation must be included for all data generated both in the lab and in the field. Professionals trained in data validation may “flag” data when QA/QC criteria are not met.
EPA follows a detailed data collection and data validation process:
- Planning happens for what samples to collect and for what purpose.
- Samples are collected for laboratory analysis.
- Preliminary results are reported from the lab.
- At the lab chemists conduct a review so final data can be reported.
- Final results from the lab are shared with independent reviewers–usually EPA contractors required to be separate and independent from samplers or the lab.
- Data validators check data, and this is documented in the data validation report. Visit the Data Validation Reports page.
Soil Sampling
On public and private property, soil samples have been collected at two different depths as a first step for evaluating whether shallow soil has been impacted by the derailment.
EPA oversaw the sample collection of surface soil from two depths: 0 to 1 inch and 1 to 6 inches. EPA compared the results of the deeper sample to the results of the shallower sample to understand the historical soil makeup. Initial sampling results show similar results between shallow soil (0 to 1 inches) and deeper soil (1 to 6 inches).
Top 3 Questions of the Week
In Case You Missed It
The Way Station and First United Presbyterian Church hosted an informational session on May 11 to discuss surface water. At this meeting, Ohio EPA presented information about the status of the cleanup of Leslie and Sulphur Runs, how waterways are assessed for contamination, and the impact of the derailment downstream. A recording of the presentation will be available on EPA’s East Palestine website.
Key Community Events This Week
On May 18, The Way Station and First United Presbyterian Church will host an informational session to give an update on site progress. The session will be from 6 to 7:00 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church at 109 West Rebecca Street in East Palestine.
New EPA Welcome Center Hours:
- Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
- Saturday: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Please contact EPA’s Information Line at 866-361-0526 if you have any questions.