Search Frequent Questions

Filter By:

Active filters:

Remove all filters

Displaying 1 - 15 of 25 results

  • How can I get help interpreting well sampling results?

    Residents requesting Columbiana County water well sample results or assistance interpreting results taken by AECOM or Stantec laboratories can email ( [email protected] ). Additionally, a toxicologist is available to answer questions at 800-222-1222. Columbiana County residents near East Palestine with drinking water wells can request sampling by calling 330-849-3919. Pennsylvania…

    • Last published:

  • How does EPA oversee cleanup at the derailment site?

    EPA leads the Unified Command consisting of different agencies to approve Norfolk Southern’s workplans and weekly activities. EPA also coordinates with other agencies to perform oversight, such as with Ohio EPA, the Columbiana County Health District, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. EPA and Ohio EPA personnel oversee safety…

    • Last published:

  • Is the air monitoring equipment detecting chemicals of concern?

    Yes, the air monitoring and sampling equipment are capable of detecting many chemicals of concern in the community and currently detections are below levels of concern. Some of the monitoring equipment may not detect a portion of the chemicals at lower levels–specifically n-butyl acrylate. However, there are independent tools used…

    • Last published:

  • What are the health agencies doing?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are analyzing their Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey results to assess the health impacts of the train derailment. CDC and ATSDR continue to support the Ohio and Pennsylvania health departments and will be…

    • Last published:

  • Is anybody sampling State Line Lake and the pond near the derailment site?

    Norfolk Southern collects daily samples from the surface water near the derailment site, north of the tracks. State Line Lake flows through a wetland area and into the surface water area where the samples are taken. The agencies are reviewing all surface water results and Norfolk’s proposed plan for characterizing…

    • Last published:

  • Now that the track is rebuilt, what else needs to be done and how long will it take?

    There is still a lot of work to do. Contaminated soil to the north and south of the tracks need to be removed. A full site assessment, including extensive sampling, of areas and properties near the derailment site needs to be conducted. A full assessment of impacted creeks will be…

    • Last published:

  • What is the status of the sampling data from Leslie Run and Sulphur Run?

    Sediment sampling in Leslie and Sulphur Run is complete. The data generated by this work are being evaluated and compared to human health and ecological risk threshold criteria. That will lead to a determination about whether additional actions will be required and what those actions should be.

    • Last published:

  • If there is a government shutdown, will work continue on the cleanup?

    A 45-day continuing resolution was recently passed to avoid a shutdown. EPA’s emergency response efforts, such as in East Palestine, would move forward under a lapse in appropriation. As a result, EPA personnel would continue to fully support those efforts during a lapse.

    • Last published:

  • What is the process for refilling excavated areas at the derailment site?

    Areas that were excavated as part of the derailment cleanup effort will be backfilled with clean soil. Before soil is chosen as backfill it is tested for chemicals and heavy metals. While the source of backfill is still being identified, some areas have been temporarily backfilled with ballast (large gravel)…

    • Last published:

  • How do federal and state agencies get notified of a chemical or oil spill requiring an emergency response?

    By law, companies or individuals who spill hazardous chemicals or oil are required to call the National Response Center (NRC) if the quantity is above reporting limits. The NRC then notifies federal, state and local responders. Most States have additional reporting requirements that are separate from the NRC.

    • Last published:

  • How is the sediment sampling in Leslie and Sulphur Run different than the eco-assessment?

    The main purpose of sediment sampling is to understand the extent of sediment contamination in Sulphur and Leslie Run. The eco-assessment, however, focuses on the potential uptake of contaminants in fish and other organisms.

    • Last published:

  • 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…

    • Last published:

  • 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…

    • Last published:

  • Interested in voicing your opinions and concerns related to the derailment?

    A team of engineering and public affairs researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago, Cleveland State University, and Purdue University are conducting a study to understand community members’ experiences and perceptions related to water, home, and environmental impacts after the East Palestine train derailment. If you’d like to participate, sign-up…

    • Last published:

  • There is mud on my car from driving on Taggart Street. Is this contaminated?

    No, all site vehicles are washed and cleaned before leaving the operational areas. Vehicles carrying contaminated soil are tightly covered and checked before entering Taggart. Street sweepers clean dust and residual dirt from the surrounding roads, so any mud would not be from contaminated areas.

    • Last published: