EAST PALESTINE, OH (June 5, 2023) — The aftermath of the East Palestine train derailment is receiving relentless attention from both the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Norfolk Southern, who are closely monitoring the extensive clean-up efforts and providing regular updates to the local community.
Norfolk Southern, responsible for the railway, is currently focused on the excavation of the northern track, with completion expected by mid-June. They are also set to commence excavation at the Pleasant Drive track crossing today.
The EPA and Norfolk Southern are maintaining a keen focus on community safety, diligently conducting air monitoring in the work zone and the surrounding community. As part of the precautionary measures, sheet piling has been installed to ensure the excavation does not affect the railway’s integrity.
Vapor suppressants are being utilized to control odors around the work zone. The area is also ringed with perimeter air monitoring stations. The EPA has further been reviewing work plans for an ongoing assessment and clean-up, in a bid to safeguard community wellbeing in the long term.
Since the start of the clean-up operation, an estimated 57,231 tons of solid waste and 20,021,502 gallons of liquid waste have been removed and shipped for appropriate disposal. The EPA has also collected over 653 private well samples, responded to 1,067 assistance line calls, and hosted 848 visits to the Welcome Center.
In terms of disruptions, North Pleasant Drive is set to be closed for several days starting the week of June 5. The road closure is necessary for the excavation work under the railroad tracks at the road crossing. During this period, traffic will be rerouted to James Street.
The EPA will be holding an information session in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) on public health today, June 6, at the First United Presbyterian Church in East Palestine.
A fact sheet has also been issued by the Public Health Advisory Unit, providing information on vinyl chloride exposure and detection methods via medical testing. This document is part of an ongoing effort to keep the public informed and aware.
Looking ahead, on June 14, the EPA will participate in the Meet the Helpers event from 6-7 p.m. at the East Palestine Memorial Library.
On-site, trains continue to operate on the southern track, while soil confirmation sampling takes place prior to restoration. In the greater community, air quality monitoring continues at 23 locations, supporting trends that air quality has remained below screening levels.
A full-site characterization is being planned, with Norfolk Southern set to conduct extensive assessment work in areas surrounding the impacted tracks, including potentially impacted waterways. Meanwhile, the Ohio EPA continues to conduct drinking water testing of East Palestine municipal water wells on a weekly basis.
Given the magnitude of the clean-up and the complexity of the environmental impact, this joint effort by the EPA and Norfolk Southern is a testament to their commitment to the community’s safety and health. The goal remains to restore the site and ensure the wellbeing of residents in the aftermath of this significant train derailment.
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