Updates from East Palestine, October 19, 2023

by the United States Environmental Protection Agency

Updates from the East Palestine Train Derailment Emergency Response

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (October 19, 2023)

• EPA ordered Norfolk Southern to conduct additional cleanup and sheen investigations focused on oily sheens and sediments in Sulphur Run and Leslie Run creeks in East Palestine, Ohio, and surrounding areas. This order under EPA’s Clean Water Act authority will build on the assessment and cleanup work already conducted in the creeks over the last several months and represents a progression of response actions at the site based on data collected and analyzed. Work done under this order will determine if more cleanup is necessary to ensure any potential long-term impacts are addressed. For more information: Clean Water Act Administrative Order and Directives.
• EPA Administrator Regan visited East Palestine on Monday, October 16 to meet with local officials and do a site visit. The Administrator also conducted a round table with East Palestine high school students.
• In East Palestine Park, confirmatory soil sampling is underway. Although areas at and near East Palestine Park are being assessed, there has been no evidence of contamination in that area, other than known contamination in creek sediments. A previous assessment of East Palestine Park conducted in March did not show any contamination above background levels for derailment-related chemicals.
• Initial sediment sampling in Leslie Run and Sulphur Run has been completed and results are under review. As many in the community have observed, some of the sediments in Sulphur and Leslie Runs can produce a sheen when agitated. The extent of sediment contamination from the derailment is being evaluated and is expected to lead to additional investigation and cleanup. Some cleanup work has been performed in the creeks, but residents should avoid them and “keep out” signs will remain to deter use.
• The deadline for new requests for indoor cleaning of eligible homes and businesses has passed. To date, 120 pre-cleaning interviews have been scheduled, 104 have been completed and 65 structures have been cleaned.
• The on-site wastewater treatment plant is operating; non-hazardous treated wastewater continues to be shipped off-site for disposal at EPA-approved facilities.
• The biweekly edition of the East Palestine Train Derailment Response newsletter was printed on October 17. All editions of the newsletter to date are available on the EPA website.

Response by the Numbers (as of October 19, 2023)

• 165,709 tons (estimated) of solid waste shipped.
• 35,680,475 gallons (estimated) of wastewater shipped.
• 65 structures have been cleaned.

What to Expect Next Week

At the derailment site:

• On October 23, EPA anticipates East Taggart Street will reopen to the public with safety controls in place, including signage, reduced speed, and flaggers.

• Contaminated soil excavation from South Ditch continues. EPA will continue to oversee all excavation activities, including post-excavation soil sampling, prior to restoration of excavated areas.
• Sitewide characterization continues in areas near the derailment location where equipment, materials, and debris were handled as part of the overall emergency response. More information is on EPA’s Full Characterization Workplan web page.

In the greater community:

• Air monitoring around the derailment area and in the community continues with stationary air monitors and two mobile units.
• Ohio Department of Transportation continues replacing the bridge over Leslie Run in East Palestine. This work is not related to the East Palestine Derailment. For more information contact ODOT at 330-308-7817.