(EAST PALESTINE, Ohio)— The following are updates from the State of Ohio regarding remediation work at the site of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Lawsuit Against Norfolk Southern
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today that the State of Ohio has filed a civil lawsuit against Norfolk Southern in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio.
Full Complaint Against Norfolk Southern
Press Release from Ohio Attorney General’s Office
Hazardous Waste Removal
According to the Ohio EPA, approximately 6.3 million gallons of liquid wastewater have been hauled out of East Palestine in total. There is currently a pile of approximately 27,700 tons of excavated soil waiting for removal from East Palestine, versus 3,200 tons that have been removed.
Sulphur Run Culvert Cleaning
Independent contractors are continuing high-pressure washing in underground culverts off of Sulphur Run. The pressurized washing process removes contaminated sediment in the culverts that is contributing to indoor air odors in some area homes and businesses.
Private Well Testing
Water sample results from private water systems of East Palestine area homes continue to show no harmful levels of contaminants.
The Ohio Department of Health and the Columbiana County Health District received verified laboratory results from 28 additional samples from private water systems as of noon Tuesday. Ten of those wells showed no detectable contaminants. Eighteen wells had trace detections of some contaminants at levels well below safe drinking water standards. There is no evidence that any of those trace detections are linked to the train derailment.
In total, 179 private systems have been sampled. Of those, test results from 99 samples have been verified, and none have shown any harmful contaminant levels associated with the derailment.
Included in the 179 system totals are five private water systems that have been sampled for a second time (those results are not yet available). On Monday, a second round of sampling began in the highest-priority areas.
The results can be found on the Columbiana County Health Department site at https://www.columbiana-health.org/resources/.
Residents near East Palestine who would like their private water system sampled should call 330-849-3919.
Dog and Cat Necropsies
A local veterinarian has requested that the Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) examine the remains of a Bluetick Coonhound that lived near the derailment site and died on Monday following a period of lethargy, anorexia, and drooling.
ODA’s ADDL is also expected to receive the remains of two stray cats from the East Palestine area for necropsies and testing. The cats had been in veterinary care for the last eight days with upper respiratory issues.
The ADDL will conduct necropsies on all three animals to determine if chemical toxicity may have contributed to the deaths. To date, final testing results of deceased wildlife from the East Palestine area have not shown evidence of chemical toxicity.
If your animal has died for an unknown reason, contact your local veterinarian for further consultation and guidance. The general public cannot submit an animal or tissue sample to the ADDL without a veterinarian order.
Community Resource Open House
The Ohio EPA will join the U.S. EPA during a community open house event on Thursday, March 14, 2023, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the East Palestine school gym at 360 West Grant Street.
Health Assessment Clinic
The Ohio Department of Health’s Health Assessment Clinic in East Palestine, operating in partnership with the Columbiana County Health District, is operating on a walk-in basis. Residents should arrive at least an hour before closing to ensure there is enough time to be served.
Clinic hours for the remainder of this week are:
Wednesday: Noon to 8 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The clinic is located at the First Church of Christ, 20 West Martin St. For information, call the Columbiana County Health District at 330-424-0272.
Coping with Trauma
According to the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, traumatic events, such as the train derailment, can cause intense stress, anxiety, and worry, especially in the first several weeks following the event.
Local certified professionals are onsite at the East Palestine Mobile Health Clinic and are ready to assist anyone who has questions or concerns. In addition, any resident can call the Ohio CareLine at 1-800-720-9616 at any time of day for free, confidential, emotional support from a trained professional.
For more information about local behavioral health resources and providers, contact the Columbiana County Mental Health & Recovery Services Board at https://www.ccmhrsb.org/.
More Information and Previous Updates: ema.ohio.gov/eastpalestine