East Palestine Cleanup "By the Numbers" EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), working alongside federal, state, and local partners, continues to support the residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment. To date, cleanup activities include: By the Numbers • 3,900 tons est. of contaminated soil shipped • 6.4 million gallons of liquid wastewater shipped • 616 indoor air screening Soil Removal at the Derailment Site Soil removal continues at the derailment site and approximately 3,900 tons of contaminated soil has shipped to disposal facilities. Work at the site includes removing tracks in sections, removing soil, and placing it in a staging area for disposal. Soil removal continues on the south track rail area and planning for the north track rail removal is underway. During the soil removal process, Norfolk Southern, with EPA oversight, will conduct soil sampling beneath the excavated rail track. As Norfolk Southern enters into contracts with waste disposal facilities with greatly expanded capacity, the rate of shipments will continue to increase. Liquid Waste Removal Wastewater is collected to ensure water does not leave the derailment site. Wastewater is generated from rain and from cleaning and washing trucks before they leave site. An estimated 6.4 million gallons of liquid wastewater has been shipped off site to appropriate disposal facilities. Approximately 215,000 gallons of liquid wastewater was shipped off site yesterday. Soil Sampling EPA and Norfolk Southern contractors continue to take soil samples at agricultural, commercial, recreational and residential properties in both Ohio and Pennsylvania. Eighty soil samples have been collected. This soil sampling effort will help identify if contaminants, including SVOCs and dioxins, are present and may have been caused by the train derailment. Air Quality To date, 616 indoor air screenings have been conducted. Air monitoring continues 24/7 at 23 stations throughout the community. No detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride have been identified. During the soil removal at the derailment site, EPA and independent contractors are conducting air monitoring within the work zone and throughout the surrounding community. This includes continuous air monitoring and sampling at the site and throughout the community as well as the use of EPA's Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) mobile laboratory which is conducting an air monitoring route near the soil excavation area. EPA does not anticipate exceedances of levels of health concern as a result of the soil removal work. Upcoming Outreach EPA will hold a Community Resource Open House on March 16, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. at the East Palestine school gym (360 West Grant Street). At the same time, Beaver County will host a Community Resource Open House for Pennsylvania residents. That open house will take place at Darlington Township Volunteer Fire Department (3590 Darlington Road, Darlington, Penn.). ------- EPA's community welcome center at 25 North Market Street continues to be open to the community from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Tomorrow, March 16th, the welcome center will close at 5:30 p.m. for the Open House. See operational updates from other agencies supporting this incident response below. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) • FEMA has been working closely with the state since the beginning of this incident and has been in constant contact regarding emergency operations since February 4—less than 12 hours after the train derailment. • In total, FEMA deployed 70 personnel to help coordinate this multiagency effort and get the people of East Palestine connected to critical information and resources. • Specifically, FEMA recently supported Interagency Community Outreach teams with door-to-door outreach in the affected area, sharing valuable information with residents and businesses. • These teams engaged with affected residents in the community and more than 2,200 flyers were distributed to individuals or dropped off at their homes and businesses. Department of Transportation (DOT) & National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) • DOT's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently urged all railroad operators to create and maintain emergency response plans for the transport of hazardous materials, strengthen the accessibility of the AskRail system, and inform PHMSA when they identify responders who are not able to access PHMSA's grant-funded training. Read the PHMSA Safety Advisory Notice: Railroad Emergency Preparedness. • NTSB, an independent federal agency, is leading the investigation into the cause of the derailment. Read NTSBs recently issued an Investigative Update with factual findings on their investigation on the ground. • Within hours of the derailment, staff from the Federal Railroad Administration and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration staff were on the scene to support the NTSB investigation. • Upon completion of the investigation, DOT will use all relevant authorities to ensure accountability and improve safety. • DOT is demanding immediate actions from the Class I railroads, announcing continued and expanded action from DOT, and calling on Congress to take actions that will hold the industry accountable. Norfolk Southern Corporation • For daily updates community members can view the Norfolk Southern website https://nsmakingitright.com/. • Sign-ups are now available for the Norfolk Southern Rail Response Training Center Classes in Bellevue, OH. There are 8 one day classes available on the schedule - first one is March 21st. This is a free 8-hour hands- on class (8:30am to 5:30pm) and lunch will be provided. • Go to this site to register: https://www.transcaer.com/training/training-events/oh/norfolk-southern-rail- response-training-center/25868. Other upcoming dates at the NS Rail Response Training Center are March 23, 25, 30 AND April 1, 6, 8, 13. ### ------- |