Newsletter: East Palestine Train Derailment Response, 11-15-2023
Newsletter serving Serving East Palestine, Negley, Darlington, and surrounding communities
- Progress Made
- The Look Ahead
- Community Corner
- Did you Know?
- Top 3 Questions of the Week
- In Case You Missed It
- Welcome Center Hours
- Distribution Update
- About this Publication
Progress Made
Stream Assessments Underway
As required under EPA’s October 18 Clean Water Act Order, the stream assessment work is underway. Crews will be looking for sheen in Sulphur Run and Leslie Run. The field team is agitating the stream sediment using their feet and poles, and by turning over rocks. The team records visual observations depending upon the amount of sheen observed. Sheen locations are recorded according to a scoring system and samples of sheen and sediment are collected at those locations. Background samples are also being collected in Leslie and Sulphur Runs as part of the assessment process.
Cleaning Out the Culverts
Work has begun to clean out underground culverts in East Palestine Drones and robots are used to access, survey, and monitor the culverts . A remote-controlled robotic “dog“ can enter and exit the culverts to take pictures and check air quality, if needed. Once the initial survey and safety assessments are complete, sediments and some debris will be removed.
Executive Order Report
On November 9, EPA released its initial report to the White House pursuant to Executive Order 14108, “Ensuring the People of East Palestine Are Protected Now and in the Future.” The report provides an overview of the response to date and explains the status of air, soil, surface water, groundwater, and drinking water sampling and monitoring. The agency will submit updated reports to the President every 60 days until all required cleanup, assessment, and monitoring work has been completed. The report can be viewed on the East Palestine Train Derailment website.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The Look Ahead
- Surface water sampling and visual inspections continue in Sulphur and Leslie Runs.
- Additional investigation in and around the derailment continues, including confirmatory sampling.
- Sampling results from the on-site wastewater treatment system continue to show treated wastewater can be disposed of off-site as non-hazardous. Each tank of treated wastewater is sampled before being shipped off-site. Wintertization measures will make sure the wastewater treatment system can operate in colder temperatures.
- Site operations will be reduced during the week of Thanksgiving. Some staff will be on site and wastewater treatment will continue. The Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center will be closed during the week of Thanksgiving.
Community Corner
New Health Resource for Pennsylvania
The Pennsylvania Department of Health has opened a new Beaver County State Health Center. The location is: 3582 Brodhead Road, Suite 108, Monaca, PA 15061.
There are a number of services that will be available at the state health center.
The state health centers are open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Did You Know?
As the weather gets colder, winterization is starting at the derailment site to limit freezing and protect workers. The large black Sulphur Run bypass pipes will be winterized to prevent freezing–this may include some repositioning. The big blue Lake tanks, and the other tanks containing treated non-hazardous liquid, are being outfitted with heating systems. Some water vapor may be visible due to the temperature difference, but it poses no health risks. These efforts will not hinder water quality monitoring, and regular system testing will continue.
Also, you may notice a crane which will be used to install a large tent to cover the temporary wastewater treatment plant and provide an indoor area for workers.
Top 3 Questions of the Week
In Case You Missed It
On November 6 and 7, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) held a twoday virtual public workshop, Public Health Research and Surveillance Priorities from the East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment. The workshop assembled a wide range of participants and experts to discuss human health impacts, surveillance priorities, and research on similar incidents. A panel of local community members spoke about the difficulties they faced in the derailment’s aftermath. Other sessions featured presentations from Columbiana County healthcare providers, governmental response coordinators, medical researchers, and other professionals. Presentations can be found on the National Academies website.
Welcome Center Changes
EPA’s Community Welcome Center has now transitioned to meeting community members by-appointment. Call 330-775-6517 to make an appointment to meet with EPA staff either by phone, online, or at the Welcome Center. You can also send your derailment response-related questions by email to: R5_EastPalestine@epa.gov