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  • 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…

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  • 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…

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  • 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…

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  • Where can I find the East Palestine City Park soil sampling results?

    You can find East Palestine City Park soil sampling results at: East Palestine City Park soil sampling results

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  • 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.

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  • What were the results from the phase 1 of soil sampling?

    Phase 1 of soil sampling is complete, and we have received most of the preliminary data. The vast majority of results are within typical ranges for soil. Samples taken on private properties are all within typical soil levels, and only a few samples taken along public right-of-way (next to roads…

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  • What are the next steps?

    The sampling data will be evaluated to determine if additional sampling or other action is necessary (additional information will be made available soon). Evaluation of results and future sampling plans will guide EPA’s future work and environmental monitoring in the East Palestine area.

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  • How were soil sample locations chosen?

    The study area was determined based on evacuation zones, plume modeling, field observations, and areas most likely to be impacted by the vent and burn. Event Reconstruction Plume Map

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  • 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.

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  • Where can I find soil sampling data and results?

    EPA will release validated (final) and non-validated (preliminary) soil sampling results from East Palestine and surrounding Ohio and Pennsylvania areas as they become available. As soon as the quality of non-validated preliminary data has been fully assessed and documented, EPA will post validated data on the East Palestine, Ohio Train…

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  • What should I do with my pets during cleaning?

    Pets (dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, etc.) cannot remain in the home during cleaning. You will need to make arrangements for your pets. We recommend first speaking with your neighbors, friends, and relatives, who may be able to care for your pets during the cleaning. If this option is not available…

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  • What do the symbols and words on my water well sampling results mean?

    One common symbol on results is μg/L, which stands for microgram per liter. This indicates the mass of a chemical in one liter of water. Columbiana County Health District has a guide to help understand terms in well sampling results reports. You can find the guide at Columbiana Health Data…

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  • Did drinking water samples from the American Legion in East Palestine have detections of vinyl chloride?

    No. The drinking water supplied to the American Legion from the Village municipal water system has been tested weekly since the incident and vinyl chloride has not been detected in the drinking water, nor any of the water supply wells. A filter company collected water at the American Legion, and…

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  • I have kids who are on a strict nap schedule. Will someone pay for childcare?

    We recommend first speaking with your neighbors, friends, and relatives, who may be able to help while you are away during the cleaning. If this option is not available, residents can contact the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center for alternative options.

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  • What are current results for Ohio EPA’s stream and fish monitoring?

    Recent biological sampling in the streams includes habitat, fish, and macroinvertebrate (aquatic bugs) collection. Fish sampling results indicate that the fish community has returned to pre-spill conditions in Leslie Run near Negley. Fish community scores, a way to measure aquatic health, range from 1 (poor water quality) to 60 (high…

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