East Palestine
PROGRESS MADE
North Track Excavation Reaches the Halfway Point
Crews are making cleanup progress along the north track,
removing the ballast, or railbed, all the way down to the
ground layer. Next, heavily contaminated soil is excavated
and stockpiled. Then, the excavated areas are divided
into grids to ensure proper sampling ofthe ground layer.
Analytical results are compared to the clearance values
in the work plan. If necessary, more soil excavation and
sampling occur until sample results are at or below the
clearance values. Once ballast and soil are removed,
stockpiled, and sampled, this material is sent to the
appropriate regulated disposal facilities. Clean soil and
ballast are then backfilled into the excavated and cleaned
areas.
In the Moment Videos
EPA released several in the moment videos to highlight
different parts ofthe train derailment response. These
short videos feature EPA experts explaining topics such as
air monitoring, soil sampling, truck decontamination, and
laboratory testing. These videos can be found on the "EPA
Regions" YouTube page.
TRAIN DERAILMENT RESPONSE
Serving tast Palestine, Negley, Darlington
and surrounding communities
NEWSLETTER
Crews sampling excavated material from the north track
May 16,2023
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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.
Air monitoring mobile laboratories will continue
driving around the peri meter of the site to monitorfor
butyl acrylate.
Engineering controls have been implemented to help
control dust.
Taggart Street remains closed to the public.
IN THE GREATER COMMUNITY
EPA's Community Welcome Center at 25 North Market
Street in East Palestine remains open to the public
Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed on Sundays).
The Way Station will host EPA for an update on site
progress at 109 West Rebecca Street on May 18, from
6:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Cleanup wiil continue down Leslie Run
Residents may notice air monitoring vehicles around
the worksite in the evenings. These vehicles are there
to monitorthe airquality.
DID YOU KNOW?
COMMUNITY CORNER
The East Palestine Area Chamber of Commerce will
host its annual street fair from May 24 to 27. During
this time, Market Street will be closed to vehicle
traffic all day for organizations to set up at the fair.
Local businesses and organizations will offer rides,
games, and food during the fair. EPA will host a booth
for visitors with educational materials and activities
for children.
Source: www.eastBgfOnec® mber.coni/street-fair
DATA VALIDATION
EPA uses validated data to help make decisions regarding cleanups. Data validation is independent from sampling or
analysis. The validation of data requires that appropriate quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures are
followed. In addition, proper documentation must be included for all data generated both in the lab and in the field.
Professionals trained in data validation may "flag" data when QA/QC criteria are not met.
EPA follows a detailed data collection and data validation process:
1. Planning happens forwhat samples to collect and for
what purpose.
2. Samples are collected for laboratory analysis.
3. Preliminary results are reported from the lab.
4. At the lab chemists conduct a review so final data can
be reported.
5. Final results from the lab are shared with independent
reviewers-usually EPA contractors required to be
separate and independent from samplers orthe lab.
6. Data validators check data, and
this is documented in the data
validation report. To access the
validation reports, please use
the QR code.
SOIL SAMPLING
On public and private property, soil samples have
been collected at two different depths as a first step for
evaluating whethershallow soil has been impacted by the
derailment.
EPA oversaw the sample collection of surface soil from
two depths: 0 to 1 inch and 1 to 6 inches. EPA compared
the results of the deeper
sample to the results of
the shallower sample to
understand the historical
soil makeup. Initial sampling
results show similar results
between shallow soil (0 to 1
inches) and deeper soil (1 to
6 inches).
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epa.gov/east- pa leati ne-o h-tra i n-derai I merit
TOP 3 QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK
O 1 Why was the well water priority zone boundary extended?
The priority zones are extended to reflect additional testing done by
Columbiana County Health District and Norfolk Southern. The purpose of this
extension is to ensure that drinking watersupplies downstream to the Ohio
River are monitored. The extension is not due to any additional environmental
or health concerns. As more information regarding groundwater flow is
gathered, we will continue to assess our priority zones.
What is being done to control dust?
Norfolk Southern contractors use engineering controls to reduce
dust generated from cleanup activities and disturbed soil surfaces. All
contaminated material leavingthe derailmentsite is secured and tarped, and
all contaminated material on site is tarped nightly. Trucks are decontaminated
before they leave the site, and large watertrucks are used to clean roadways.
EPA monitors for particulate matter using DustTraks. Air monitoring data table
summaries can be found on EPA's East Palestine website.
What is EPA's role in sampling?
EPA is part of the Unified Command consisting of different agencies to
review, approve and direct Norfolk Southern's workplans and site activities.
Surface watersampling is performed by Norfolk Southern contractors, with
EPA and Ohio EPA oversight. Soil sampling is performed both by Norfolk
Southern contractors and EPA contractors. Air sampling is performed both
by EPA contractors and Norfolk Southern Contractors. All samples are sent to
accredited laboratories for analysis and validated.
SITE STATUS CHECK
As of May 12
NORTH TRACK:
Estimated 50% complete
SOUTH TRACK: In operation
LESLIE RUN: Cleanup work
started and will continue
SULPHUR RUN:
Bypass carries upstream water
past derailment site
16.6 million
est. gallons of wastewater
shipped offsite
39,348
est. tons of solid waste
shipped offsite
COMMUNITY HEALTH RESOURCE LIST
Pennsylvania Residents:
Call the Department of Health H
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KEY COMMUNITY
EVENTS THIS WEEK
On May 18, The Way Station and First United
Presbyterian Church will host an informational
session to give an update on site progress. The
session will be from 6 to 7:00 p.m. at the First
United Presbyterian Church at 109 West Rebecca
Street in East Palestine.
Next Info Session: Public Health
NEW EPA WELCOME
CENTER HOURS
Monday through Friday: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
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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