East Palestine Update – 3/2/23
Joe Lyons •
March 2, 2023
(EAST PALESTINE, Ohio)— The following are updates from the State of Ohio regarding remediation work at the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Dioxin Testing
Today, U.S. EPA Administrator Michael Regan and Ohio EPA (OEPA) Director Anne Vogel sent a joint letter to senators Sherrod Brown and J.D. Vance.
The letter states:
“To address any continuing concerns for potential release of dioxins in the local area resulting from the derailment, out of an abundance of caution (U.S.) EPA will continue to sample for indicator chemicals and will also require Norfolk Southern to begin sampling directly for dioxins. If dioxins are found in the area including East Palestine, (U.S.) EPA will share the information with the public, determine whether the level of contaminants found poses any unacceptable risk to human health and the environment, and direct the immediate cleanup of the area as needed, in coordination with OEPA, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and other partners.”
Hazardous Waste Removal
According to the Ohio EPA, approximately 2.1 million gallons of liquid wastewater have been hauled out of East Palestine in total.
Approximately 190,000 gallons have been shipped to Vickery Environmental in Vickery, Ohio, to be disposed of through deep well injection.
Approximately 1.6 million gallons have been shipped to Texas Molecular in Deer Park, Texas, to be disposed of through deep well injection.
Approximately 300,000 gallons have been hauled to Detroit Industrial Well in Romulus, Michigan to be disposed of through deep well injection.
The Ohio EPA reports that approximately 1,400 tons of solid waste have also left the derailment site.
Approximately 140 tons have been hauled to Ross Incineration Services in Grafton, Ohio, to be incinerated.
Approximately 370 tons have been hauled to Heritage Thermal Services in East Liverpool, Ohio, to be incinerated.
Approximately 440 tons have been shipped to U.S. Ecology Wayne Disposal in Belleville, Michigan, to be placed in a landfill.
Approximately 440 tons have been hauled to Heritage Environmental Services in North Roachdale, Indiana to be placed in a landfill.
Municipal Water Testing Update
Both the village and Ohio EPA have committed to independently testing East Palestine’s municipal water wells once a week to ensure that they are free from contaminants associated with the derailment.
Testing results received yesterday by East Palestine showed no detection of contaminants associated with the train derailment in water samples pulled on February 21. Test results from Ohio EPA’s February 21 water sample were returned today and are consistent with the village’s test results.
Private Well Sampling
Water sample results from private water systems of East Palestine area homes continue to show no harmful levels of contaminants.
The Ohio Department of Health, working with the Columbiana County Health District, had received verified laboratory results from 12 additional samples from private water systems as of noon Thursday. Five of those wells showed no detectable contaminants. Seven wells had trace detections at levels well below safe drinking-water standards.
There is no evidence that any of those trace detections are linked to the train derailment.
In total, 151 private systems have been sampled. Of those, test results from 57 samples have been verified, and none have shown any harmful contaminant levels associated with the derailment.
The results can be found on the Columbiana County Health Department site at https://www.columbiana-health.org/resources/.
Residents near East Palestine who would like their private water system sampled should call 330-849-3919.
Animal Necropsies
The Ohio Department of Agriculture reports that final lab results on a six-week-old beef calf that died on February 11, 2023, near East Palestine show no outward evidence of chemical irritation or exposure. Although a specific cause of death could not be identified, there is nothing to support chemical toxicity as a cause of death.
Student Services
Governor DeWine is also announcing that the Learning Aid Ohio program, which provides in-home support services for students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to supplement the services they receive in schools, is reserving dedicated slots for children in Columbiana County who have been impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment. Learning Aid Ohio provides families with financial resources to cover the costs of certain in-home support services, such as tutoring, occupational therapy, or physical therapy, to help children catch up and succeed academically. Learning Aid Ohio is also always recruiting providers to support enrolled learners. For additional information on the program, families and providers can visit LearningOhio.com. Columbiana County families with questions may email learningohio@dsaco.net
Health Assessment Clinic
Walk-ins now are being welcomed at the Ohio Department of Health’s Health Assessment Clinic in East Palestine. Appointments can still be made by calling 234-564-7755 or 234-564-7888
The clinic is located at the First Church of Christ, 20 West Martin St.
Clinic hours tomorrow are from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ohioans will not be called by Ohio Department of Health employees to complete a health assessment. If you receive a call, do not give the caller personal information.
Coping with Trauma
According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, traumatic events, such as the train derailment, can cause intense stress, anxiety, and worry, especially in the first several weeks following the event.
Local certified professionals are onsite at the East Palestine Mobile Health Clinic and are ready to assist anyone who has questions or concerns. In addition, any resident can call the Ohio CareLine at 1-800-720-9616 at any time of day for free, confidential, emotional support from a trained professional.
For more information about local behavioral health resources and providers, contact the Columbiana County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board at https://www.ccmhrsb.org/.