(COLUMBUS, 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.
Hazardous Waste Removal
According to the Ohio EPA, approximately 11.7 million gallons of liquid wastewater have been hauled out of East Palestine in total. There is currently a pile of approximately 14,800 tons of excavated soil waiting for removal from East Palestine, versus 22,700 tons that have been removed.
Fish Testing
Ohio EPA is assessing fish tissue in fish from the North Branch of the Little Beaver Creek and lower portions of the Little Beaver Creek. This is being done to help determine if there is any need for fish consumption advisories.
Update on sediment cleaning in the creeks
The cleaning of Leslie and Sulphur Runs continues to go well. The oxygenation was successful in significantly decreasing the contamination levels in the water. The air pumps have been removed and the focus has shifted to sediment cleaning. The process involves agitating the sediment to release the contaminants which are then contained and collected.
Tracks Opening
The south rail line tracks need only two more rail panels installed. The contractor will install the ballast and level the track. Next the contractor will replace the short sections of rail with the long sections of rail, so they have a finished product. Trains are expected to be able to run on it next week.
April 10 Truck Accident
The response to Monday’s truck rollover/spill on SR-165 is complete. Contractors removed the soil from the spill, and (out of an abundance of caution) removed additional soil underneath. Restoration of the area, including adding clean soil and reseeding, also is complete. No waterways were impacted.
Dog Necropsies
The Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) announced that final lab results on a deceased dog from the East Palestine area shows no evidence of chemical toxicity as a cause of death. The pet was submitted by a local veterinarian in March for analysis.
The ADDL received another dog on April 11 for necropsy examination from the East Palestine area.
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.
Private Well Testing
The Ohio Department of Health, working with the Columbiana County Health District, has received verified laboratory results from 6 additional samples from private water systems as of noon Wednesday. Five of those wells showed no detectable contaminants. One well had a trace detection of 2,6-Dinotrotoluene, a compound for which there is no established safe standard. There is no evidence that this trace detection is linked to the train derailment. The local health department is reaching out to that homeowner to help them understand the test results and determine what may be impacting the well. In total, test results from 248 samples have been verified.
East Palestine Health Clinic
The permanent East Liverpool City Hospital East Palestine Clinic opened early this week and offers the same services as the former 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. Referrals will be made if needed.
The clinic is located at 139 North Walnut St. Regular hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Appointments are required and can be made by calling 330-383-6020.
