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  • Will there be an increase in turbidity (cloudiness or muddiness) or silt in the streams?

    The increased flow from this work is expected to be minimal and should not impact turbidity or silt.

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  • Will returning the natural flow of water to Sulphur Run disturb areas with sheen?

    Conditions in the streams are much improved because of previous cleanup work conducted in 2023. Although oily sheens remain, they are settled in the sediment and do not impact surface water unless disturbed. The increased water flow to Sulphur Run will be minimal and is not expected to disturb sheen…

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  • What sources make up the Tier 1 categories used in the emissions trends?

    Tier 1 categories are assigned by source classification codes (SCCs) that are the most specific processes available in the NEI. The latest SCC list with the Tier 1 assignments can be downloaded from the EPA SCC website in Comma Separate Values (CSV) format.

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  • What is the cause of the large decrease in electric utility emissions, particularly sulfur dioxide, starting in 1995?

    SO2 emissions reductions from utilities during this time are primarily attributed to the impacts of the acid rain program. As described on EPA’s Acid Rain Program web page, Phase 1 of this program began in 1995 and affected 263 units at 110 most coal-burning electric utility plants in 21 eastern…

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  • What is the status of the cleanup at the site?

    In October 2023, it was announced that the excavation work, which removed the known areas of contaminated soil at the derailment site, was complete. The soil double-check work has been ongoing for months and is expected to continue into the fall. The timeline of our expected completion plans for final…

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  • When can we access the streams again?

    The upcoming cleanup efforts will focus on oil-based compounds which, based on recent sampling, are the only derailment-related contaminants remaining in the creeks. Please obey all posted signage and continue to avoid access in Sulphur and Leslie Runs until further notice.

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  • What has changed?

    For the past several months as the collected wastewater has gone through the system, sample results have shown that the wastewater meets the standards set for vinyl chloride and other derailment-caused contaminants without treatment, meaning it can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste. Testing of the collected wastewater will continue…

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  • Why collect the rainwater and snowmelt around the derailment site?

    Until excavation work and confirmatory sampling are completed, any wastewater collected from the derailment site is considered a “listed hazardous waste” because it may have come into contact with vinyl chloride or other hazardous contaminants from the derailment. Even though the soil contamination has been removed, our double-check work is…

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  • How does EPA know that the products on List N work on SARS-CoV-2?

    List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. EPA expects the products on List N to kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, because they: Demonstrate efficacy against the coronavirus…

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  • I can’t tell if the product I’m interested in is on the list or not. Can you help me?

    List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. Disinfectant products may be marketed and sold under different brand and product names. To determine whether EPA expects a given product to…

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  • What is the status of the cleanup work in the streams?

    There is still more work to be done in Leslie and Sulphur Runs. EPA and Ohio EPA are reviewing the Norfolk Southern sediment mitigation workplan. More cleaning will likely start before April and is expected to continue through July.

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  • I have a question about a word or phrase on the List N website. I’m not sure how something on List N helps me fight COVID-19.

    List N: Disinfectants for Use Against SARS-CoV-2 View List N, a searchable and sortable list of products for use against SARS-CoV-2, the novel human coronavirus that causes COVID-19. List N is a list of products that EPA expects will kill SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, when used according to…

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  • When will water no longer need to be collected to be returned to Sulphur Run?

    We anticipate in the next two-to-four weeks, this work will start in sections of the derailment site. Soil analysis during the double-check phase is needed to remove the hazardous waste listing from the collected wastewater. Data are showing that water flowing over or through sections of the derailment area do…

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  • Why treat the collected water?

    Water collected at the site has the potential to have come into contact with vinyl chloride and other contaminants from the derailment. After the collected wastewater is treated it is then tested, and if it is not hazardous, can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste.

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  • Why do mobile source NOx emissions jump higher between 2001 and 2002 on the emissions trends?

    The emissions model used for mobile sources changed from MOBILE6.2 to MOVES 2010 in December 2009. This change included a notable increase in NOx emissions. The EPA adjusted data back to 2002 to reflect the change in models. The higher emissions in 2002 are because of this method change and…

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