East Palestine Train Derailment Response Newsletter May 9, 2023


East Palestine

TRAIN DERAILMENT RESPONSE

Serving East Palestine, Negley, Darlington
and surrounding communities

NEWSLETTER

May 9,2023

PROGRESS MADE

North Track Excavation
and Sampling
As the north track excavation
continues, teams sample excavated
areas to make sure all contaminated
material is removed. Sampling
methods include using monitors to
measure levels of volatile organic
compounds (VOCs), and sampling
jars to collect soil for analysis.
Samples are collected from the same
spot for accuracy by both EPA and
Norfolk Southern and are not mixed
or analyzed together. EPA analyzes
samples at the on-site laboratory. If
a sample exceeds screening levels,
teams go back to the sample area
to take another and continue to
take samples deeper in the ground
to make sure all contamination is
removed.

Sediment Cleaning in Leslie Run
This week Norfolk Southern will
be conducting cleanup activities
in Leslie Run, with part of the

effort being testing the restoration
methods. These restoration efforts
have been designed to furtherstream
cleanup with specific sensitivity to
protecting the existing ecological
community within the stream. Under
expert regulatory guidance and
direction from USEPAand OEPA, the
activities will focus on addressing
the remaining residual impacts to
the sediments in the waterway to
facilitate the stream and associated
wildlife's return to conditions priorto
the incident.

Removal of Water Treatment
Equipment from Sulphur Run
Ohio EPA and Norfolk Southern
stopped treating water in Sulphur
Run in April after receiving favorable
water sampling data. Crews recently
removed the water treatment
equipment, like water pumps, air
compressors, and diffusers, from the
creek.

Handheld monitors are used to screen VOC
levels in excavated areas

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THE WEEK AHEAD

AT THE SITE

Excavation will continue on the north track. Sampled
and cleared areas will be backfilled with clean material.
These areas are still subject to further sampling and
evaluation.

Three air monitoring and sampling mobile laboratories
Will continue driving around the perimeter of the site to
monitor for very low levels of butyl acrylate.

Expect increased traffic along East Martin Street.

Taggart Street remains closed to the public.

IN THE GREATER COMMUNITY

U.S. EPA's Community Welcome Center remains open
to the public at 25 North Market Street in East Palestine
from Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The Way Station will host Ohio EPA for an informational
session on surface water assessments and sampling at
109 West Rebecca Street on May 11, from 6 to 7 p.m.

You may have seen more air monitoring and sampling
mobile laboratories driving around the perimeter of the
site. They are monitoring and sampling for very low levels
of butyl acrylate. These laboratories can also come to your
hometosampleoutdoorairifyou smell an odor. Call the
resident hotline, 330-849-3919, and a mobile lab and team
will come sample the air outside of your home. At this time,
only outdoor air monitoring and samplingwiii be offered,
endingthe indoorairscreening.

COMMUNITY CORNER

EPA loans air sensors to schools, community groups
and other organizations for up to one month. These
sensors measure the air for particulate matter,
humidity, and temperature to help communities
understand air quality and contaminant levels in
indoor and outdoor air, and improve personal and
public health.

To learn more, including the equipment available,
training, and shipping and contact information,
please visit the following link:

epa.gov/air-sensor-toolbox/air-sensor-loan-programs#r5

DID YOU KNOW?

You can take steps to improve indoor air quality and
limityourexposure to pollutants. Below are three simple
at-home-practices to improve indoor air quality and
protect your family's health.

Ifyou expect your home has poor indoorairquality,
consider the following to reduce pollutant levels:

VENTILATING

Increase fresh indoor air by opening windows
3 and doors, running air conditioners (with the vent
control open), turning on bathroom and kitchen

fans that exhaust outdoors, and ventilating areas
near fireplaces, kitchens, and cigarette smoke.

CHANGING AIR FILTERS REGULARLY

Replace central heat, airconditioner, and furnace
filters to better trap dust and pollutants, and
install filters according to the manufacturers'
instructions.

& DUST CONTROL

Minimize dust by wiping surfaces and washing
fabrics and children's toys regularly.

TOP 3 QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK

These questions are in response to resident concerns about vinyl chloride.

BY THE NUMBERS

As of May 5

Should I get tested?

We have heard residents' concerns about potential exposure to vinyl chloride.
EPA air monitoring data results show vinyl chloride below levels of health
concerns. Available biological tests do not accurately assess exposure to vinyl
chloride at levels present from this incident.

If I get a urine test, what does that indicate?

If I get a urine test, what does that indicate? Urine tests show the level of
thiodiglycolic acid-a break-down product of vinyl chloride. A complete lab
report will show your thiodiglyocolic acid results compared to the normal
range commonly found in people in the United States. But this test does not
reliably indicate exposure to vinyl chloride. There are several othersources of
thiodiglycolic acid in urine, includingsome chemicals, foods, and medications.
Health specialists do not know what level of thiodiglycolic acid may be related
to what types of health effects. In addition, there is no recommended medical
treatment for people with elevated levels of thiodiglycolic acid.

What else can cause urine to test positive for thiodiglycolic acid?

Thiodiglycolic acid is commonly found in general populations who have not
been exposed to vinyl chloride. Some sources can include:

Certain foods including raw onions, meat, poultry, and seafood.

Some medications, including Zyrtec, and vitamins.

Alcoholic beverages.

Smoke including from wood fireplaces, cooking, and cigarettes.

Some household products including paints and varnishes.

Chemicals used in the workplace.

37,385

ESTIMATED TONS OF SOLID
WASTE SHIPPED 0FFSITE

14.8

million

EST. GALLONS OF
WASTEWATER SHIPPED
OFFSITE

509

PRIVATE WELL
SAMPLES COLLECTED

147

AREAS SAMPLED
FOR SOIL ANALYSIS

735

VISITORS TO THE
WELCOME CENTER

COMMUNITY RESOURCE LIST —

HEALTH RESOURCES

Pennsylvania Residents:

Call the Department of Hea lth Hotline f877-PA-HEAlTH) to

connect with a nufsetoTind appropriate .local health

care, services.;

Ohio Residents:

The East Palestine Clinic is located at 139 North Walnut,

East Palestine, Ohio

The clinic will operate;

Monday - Friday S a.m. -5 p.m.. by appointmentonly

• Free for those Without insuTance'COverage

• Ava i I a b le to a ny rggi d en ts w i t h co n ce r ns

• The clinic is providingeomprehensive primary care
(treatment, prescriptions, lab teg-ting, consultation
with specialists and referrals if needed). It'ssteffed
by physicians, registered nutsesand mental health
specialists

• Call 330-383-6020 to ma ke .an appointment

Ohio and Pennsylvania Residents:

'East Palestine Resident Specific Poison Control Incident

Hotline: 1-877-603-0170, PA residents can press 2

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES

Pennsylvania Residents:

Pennsylvania department of Environmental Protection

• Southwest Regional Office water testing line:
412-44.2-4000

Pen nsy IvanT a De pa rtm e nt o f Agr i cu Itu B

• Pennsylvania farmers and producers who are affected by
the derailment and have questions or CQncemsean call
855-77T-6735

Ohio Residents:

Ohio Environntshtal Protection Agency

• For public drinking water quality and surface water
results: 614-644-2160

0hio Department of AgricuItu re

• For questions about livestockand pet health:
614-728-6220

^ (866)361-0526 te^ea^paleMnei®ep3:.gPv

epa.gQv/east'paleBtine-oh-tra i n-dera ilment

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KEY COMMUNITY

EVENTS THIS WEEK

On May 11, The Way Station and First United
Presbyterian Church will host an informational
session with Ohio EPA about surface water,
including creeks and municipal water,
assessments, and sampling. The session will be
from 6 to 7 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian
Church at 109 West Rebecca Street in East
Palestine.

Please contact EPA's Information Line at
866-361-0526 if you have any questions.

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 abouttopics discussed, please visit
www.epa.gov/east-palestine-oh-train-derailment
or call EPA's Information Line at 866-361-0526

SCAN ME for a list of
additional resources

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