March 21,2023 SE PROGRESS MADE EPA and Norfolk Southern contractors continue to take soil samples at agricultu ral, commercial, recreational, and residential properties in both Ohio and Pennsylvania:, To date, 97 p roperties have been Hmpled. This soil samplirig tf o rt wi 11 help identify if contaminants, incl.uding7semi-volatile organic compounds and dioxins, a re present and may have been caused by the train derailment Preliminary soil/sample rasa Its are coming back from the laboratory - this information will be shared with property owners a nd the pu b lie after q ual i I checks are complete. Technical Assistance Program to the Village of East Palestine Last week, EPA entered int» an agreement with the vi llageof East Palestine to p rovide the com manityaccess to tech n ica I assistance-through SPA'S national Technical Assistance Services for Co m m.u n ities progfa m¦ The goa 1 of th e p rogra m is to p rovide science resources to the community at no cost to help translate a n d i n ter p ret t he science, regu I atio ns, an d en vi ro n me nta I policies thatsurround the train derailmentemergency and response efforts. BY THE NUMBERS WEEK LOOK AHEAD At the derailment site: Increased truck traffic along designated trucking routes Taggart-Street-isstill closed to the public- ContinUed excavation and construction work at thesitf Trucks continue-totakesoil off site Two street sweepers will continues rouind truck traffic: and crews continue to clean trucks before leaving the site In the greater community: Ai r mon itori ng at 23 locati o ns a round the com mu nity EPA's Trace Atmo:spheric©as Analyzer (TAGA) mobile laboratory will continue, to samplfi; Soil samp ling crews in right of ways: Crews made, up of 4-5 people weari ng high visib i I i ty sa fety vests'a n d scoo p i ng soi I into j a rs- If your property is nearby theiamplthgare® and the sam pli ng crew sees signs of soot or ash a mem ber of the sampli ng team may ask to sam ple your property Creek agitation and aeration will continue AS OF MARCH 20 7*11* million iii4: TRUCKS PER DAY HAUL CONTAMINATED WASTE OFF-SITE GALLONS LIQUID WASTE SHIPPED AGRICULTURAL, RECREATIONAL, COMMERCIAL SOIL SAMPLES TAKEN TONS ESTIMATED OF CONTAMINATED SOIL/ 6,801 SCAN MEftsra Maf ^additional rttources (866) 361-0526 Q m www.epa.gov/oh/east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment-emergency-responseR5_eastpalestine@epa.gov ------- KEY COMMUNITY EVENTS THIS WEEK • East Palestine Open House - Thursday, March 23 Information on cleanup activities, sampling, community resources for Ohio residents When: 6pm-8pm Where: East Palestine High School Gymnasium 360 West Grant St., East Palestine, OH • Pennsylvania Open House - Thursday, March 23 Information on cleanup activities, sampling, community resources for Pennsylvania residents When: 6pm-8pm Where: Darlington Township 3590 Darlington Rd, Darlington, PA TOP QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK i 2 3 CAN I PLANT MY VEGETABLE GARDEN AND/OR FARM FIELD? There is no reason to believe that the particles in the smoke produced from the train derailment fire contain substances at levels of concern on residential, recreational, or agricultural properties. As an extra step, EPA is directing that soil sampling be conducted in areas most impacted by smoke and particles from the fire. Results from this sampling, to date, have not shown any cause for concern. DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING TO ENSURE MY POOL IS SAFE? There is no current evidence of aerial deposition from the derailmentthat would impact pools, however ongoing soil sampling and surface water sampling will assist in further verifying the status of aerial deposition. Following these activities, messagingon private pools will be updated as necessary. CAN WE USE OUR FOOTBALL FIELD? WHAT ABOUT CROSS COUNTRY RUNNING? In addition to our overall guidance a bo ut soil use and safety, part of the soil sampling plan has been targeted toward recreational sites. If any results indicate a concern, the public will be informed. At this point, there are no concerns with outdoor activities or sports, exceptfor inside Sulfur and Leslie Run. ABOUT THIS PUBLICATION This weekly newsletter is being developed through a joint effort of local, state, federal agencies, and community organizations. If you would like more information about topics discussed, please visit www.epa.gov/oh/east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment- emergency-response or call EPA's Information Line at 866-361-0526 CLWt HO 'su&saiEdiseg IS WW NSZ CLLd3 " JSJU9Q 9LUO0PM Vd3 ------- |