(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.
U.S. Senate Testimony
Governor DeWine today gave testimony virtually before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on the train derailment in East Palestine and the state’s response.
Governor DeWine thanked Senators J.D. Vance, Sherrod Brown, Bob Casey, John Fetterman, Josh Hawley, and Marco Rubio for their bill – S. 576 – the Rail Safety Act 2023, which he supports. Governor DeWine also supports H.R. 844 – the Rail Act, which is sponsored by Representatives Bill Johnson and Emilia Sykes and supported by nine additional members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation.
“No other community should ever have to go through this. And so, there must be a great sense of urgency to make our railways safer,” said Governor DeWine. “Federal law and regulations have preempted state authority in almost all areas of railroad safety and security. So, I am calling on Congress to take strong and quick action.”
Governor DeWine’s Oral Testimony as prepared
Governor DeWine’s Submitted Testimony (for the Committee Record)
East Palestine Health Clinic Transitioning to New, Permanent Location
The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) in partnership with East Liverpool City Hospital will be transitioning the East Palestine Health Assessment Clinic to a permanent location in East Palestine, during the week of April 10, 2023. The location, which is still being finalized, will be operated by East Liverpool City Hospital.
The new clinic will offer the same services as the current emergency clinic, but will also provide traditional comprehensive primary care, including treatment, prescriptions, lab testing, and consultation with specialists where appropriate. Physicians, registered nurses, and mental health specialists will be on hand to provide services. The clinic is a chance for residents to discuss health concerns and receive a health assessment. Referrals will be made if needed.
Many in the East Palestine community do not have primary care providers. The state will be providing funding to ensure the clinic remains available and free for those without insurance coverage.
Since opening the clinic with the Columbiana County Health District, more than 295 residents have received care, including mental health services.
“The state of Ohio is committed to continuing its assistance for the people of East Palestine through its partnerships with local health providers. This new clinic is one step in that direction,” said Gov. Mike DeWine. “The new clinic represents our pledge to be here for the residents of East Palestine for as long as they need us.”
Information on the new clinic is available at http://ema.ohio.gov/eastpalestine.
Health Assessment Clinic Current Hours
The Ohio Department of Health’s Health Assessment Clinic in East Palestine, operating in partnership with the Columbiana County Health District, is currently operating on a walk-in basis. Residents should arrive at least an hour before closing to ensure there is enough time to be served.
The clinic is open until 8:00 this evening and will reopen on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The clinic is currently located at the First Church of Christ, 20 West Martin St. For information, call the Columbiana County Health District at 330-424-0272.
ODH, County Meet with East Palestine School Superintendent
Today, ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA and Columbiana County Health District Commissioner Wesley Vins met with East Palestine Schools Superintendent Chris Neifer, assuring the district that it is safe to hold all usual activities, including outdoor sporting events.
Last week, ODH and Columbiana County Health District sent a letter to the East Palestine Schools assuring that it is safe to hold usual activities. The letter also cited continued air monitoring that has shown no harmful levels of contaminants and emphasized that school officials would be notified immediately if any harmful readings occurred.
Dr. Vanderhoff and Commissioner Vins emphasized that physical activity could help students cope with the stress and anxiety that many East Palestine residents have endured since the derailment.
Hazardous Waste Removal
According to the Ohio EPA, approximately 7.7 million gallons of liquid wastewater have been hauled out of East Palestine in total. There is currently a pile of approximately 29,000 tons of excavated soil waiting for removal from East Palestine, versus 8,300 tons that have been removed.
Surveying First Responders/Resident Survey Update
Since February 21, the Department of Health, in conjunction with federal partners, has been surveying East Palestine residents about any symptoms they are experiencing related to the derailment.
More recently, beginning on March 5, the health department began surveying those who were first responders to the derailment. The department held a roll-out meeting with various organizations to provide information and answer questions about the survey, and is reaching out through emails and flyers, as well, to encourage participation.
Both surveys are called ACE (after chemical exposure) surveys, but responders are asked several different questions, such as how many shifts they worked, as well as what personal protective equipment they may have worn.
Of 205 respondents, the top five symptoms first responders reported were:
- Stuffy nose/sinus congestion – 26.8%.
- Runny nose – 25.4%.
- Increased congestion/phlegm – 22.0%.
- Burning nose or throat – 20.5%.
- Hoarseness – 15.1%.
The community ACE survey now has been taken by 467 residents. They can take the survey through a healthcare provider or at the ODH Health Assessment Clinic in East Palestine.
The top 5 symptoms residents report have remained the same throughout the survey period:
- Headache – 76.2%.
- Anxiety – 61.5%.
- Coughing – 54.4%.
- Fatigue/tiredness – 52.7%.
- Irritation, pain, or burning of skin – 50.5%.
Private Well Testing
Water sample results from the 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 19 additional samples from private water systems as of noon Wednesday. Fifteen of those wells showed no detectable contaminants. Four wells had trace detections 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, test results from 170 samples have been verified, and none have shown any harmful contaminant levels associated with the derailment.
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.
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 |