March 28,2023
East Palestine
TRAIN DERAILMENT RESPONSE
Serving East Palestine, Negley, Darlington
and surrounding communities
NEWSLETTER
PROGRESS MADE
Blue Lake Tanks
As EPA continues overseeing cleanup
work at the derailment site, large
blue lake tanks are temporarily
holding additional wastewater for
removal and disposal. The lake tanks
will reduce EPA's on-site frac tank
footprint. Frac tanks, for smaller
quantities of liquid storage, have
been used since the deraiimentto
stage liquid before it is removed for
off-site disposal.
Preliminary Soil Results
EPA is reviewing preliminary soil
sampling data as they are received.
Final results will be available in the
coming weeks. Part of the review
process is to compare results to
background levels from existing data.
Soil Testing, Removal, and
backfilling at the Derailment Site
As soil is removed from underneath
the south tracks, excavated areas
are backfilled depending upon soii
testing results. Excavated areas
are repeatedly tested, and soil is
continually removed, until testing
shows levels that are protective of
groundwater. Clean soil is used to
backfill excavated areas.
In the Moment Videos
Last week, we filmed short videos
at the derailment site to describe
on-going cleanup work. These videos
are a way of explaining highly visible
cleanup actions, like liquids and soils
staged for removal and disposal.
These videos can be found on the
EPA Great Lakes Facebook and
Twitter pages.
Mobile command center near
the derailment site
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THE WEEK AHEAD
At the derailment site:
Continued heavy truck traffic along designated routes.
Taggart Street remains closed to the public.
Excavation and construction work will continue at
the site.
Contaminated soil and wastewater will continue to be
shipped off-site.
Construction of two large 1-million-gallon storage
tanks (used to temporarily hold wastewater) will be
completed, reducingthe need forso many frac tanks.
In the greater community:
Air monitoring will continue at 23 locations around the
community.
EPA's Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) mobile
laboratory will continue to monitor air.
Asecond air analyzer similarto the TAGA is being
tested. You may see it following the TAGA bus
around town.
Crews should complete the majority of phase 1
soil sampling.
Creek agitation and aeration is nearing completion
and creeksoil washing will continue.
SAFETY MINUTE
There's a lot of rain in the forecast this week. When it's raining, our crews will not be working in the creeks.
We advise residents to stay out of the water until the creeks are fully restored.
COMMUNITY CORNER
DID YOU KNOW?
This week, East Palestine High School students received
air sensors as part of a loan program with EPA Region 5.
These air sensors will give students the opportunity to
learn more about air
monitoring technology.
These sensors are
designed to be portable
and low cost, requiring
little training to
operate. Last week an
EPA scientist joined a
classroom to explain
how these sensors
compare to the high-
end equipment we're
using to monitor for
contaminants from the
derailment.
Groundwater is water that is stored u nder the surface.
Across the United States, the depth of groundwater varies
from tens to thousands of feet below the surface. Surface
water describes bodies of water above the surface,
which includes creeks, rivers, and lakes. Drinking water,
as the name implies, is the water we drink. Drinking
Water can come from groundwater or surface water. In
East Palestine, both municipal drinking water (which
is treated by the water utility), and private wells come
from groundwater. According to the Ohio EPA, the East
Palestine water utility draws water from wells 52 to 98
feet below the ground. In Western Pennsylvania, many
residents also receive their water from wells.
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TOP 3 QUESTIONS OF THE WEEK
ARE THE TRUCKS LEAVING THE DERAILMENT SITE
SPREADING CONTAMINATION?
Each truck leaving the derailment site that is carrying contaminated waste is
checked to ensure all material is safely secured. Also, all trucks go through a
washing process before departing the site. The washing process ensures the
vehicles'wheels and undercarriage are free of dirt and mud. Street sweepers
are then run along Taggart Street to clean remaining dust or dirt.
02
WHAT ARE THE LARGE BLUE TANKS AT THE DERAILMENT SITE?
As EPA continues overseeing cleanup work at the derailment site, two large
blue lake tanks will reduce EPA's on-site frac tank footprint. Frac tanks, for
smaller quantities of liquid storage, have been used since the derailment to
stage liquid before it is removed for off-site disposal.
03
IS OUR EAST PALESTINE CITY PARK SAFE FOR ACTIVITIES?
Soil samples were taken at the park and EPA recently notified the city of these
results. The results were all below background and screening levels. Contact
with water and dirt from Sulphur and Leslie Run should still be avoided as
sampling and airsparging continues.
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BY THE
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KEY COMMUNITY
EVENTS THIS WEEK
There are no Community Open Houses
scheduled for this week
Area Health Centers continue operation
this week with the following schedule:
The Pennsylvania Department of Health
Resource Center Hours:
Thursday, March 30 from 12-5 PM
Darlington Township Municipal Building 3590
Darlington Rd., Darlington, PA
East Palestine Health Assessment Clinic Hours:
Monday, Tuesday from 12-6 PM
Wednesday 12-8 PM
Thursday 9 AM-1 PM
First Church of Christ
20 West Martin St., East Palestine, OH
Stay tuned for other upcoming events!
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
SCAN ME for a list of
additional resources
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