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  • How do I know that my belongings will be safe during the cleaning?

    Before the team begins cleaning, they will videotape each room and photograph the items you left. The videos and photos provide a record of the items that were present and the conditions of those items at the time the cleaning team entered your structure. An EPA representative will be present…

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  • Interested in voicing your opinions and concerns related to the derailment?

    A team of engineering and public affairs researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago, Cleveland State University, and Purdue University are conducting a study to understand community members’ experiences and perceptions related to water, home, and environmental impacts after the East Palestine train derailment. If you’d like to participate, sign-up…

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  • Hunting season is underway, is it ok to eat wild game meat harvested from the local area?

    There is no evidence to indicate there are any human health risks resulting from the train derailment that would limit eating wild game. To learn about other advisories or notices unrelated to the incident, contact the agency listed on your hunting license.

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  • Who is eligible for home cleaning?

    Anyone who lives in the village of East Palestine limits or within the 1-mile by 2-mile Ohio-Pennsylvania evacuation area is eligible for this service (see map). Priority will be given to those that have been relocated. If you’re interested, you can let us know by calling 330-775-6517 , filling out…

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  • There is mud on my car from driving on Taggart Street. Is this contaminated?

    No, all site vehicles are washed and cleaned before leaving the operational areas. Vehicles carrying contaminated soil are tightly covered and checked before entering Taggart. Street sweepers clean dust and residual dirt from the surrounding roads, so any mud would not be from contaminated areas.

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  • Will air monitoring continue around Taggart Street?

    Stationary and mobile air monitoring continues around the community and within the derailment site. As the excavation work is completed and remaining waste removed, air monitoring will be reduced.

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  • Can I walk along Taggart Street?

    Pedestrians are discouraged from walking on Taggart Street for safety reasons. Heavy equipment and truck traffic are still present, and there are no sidewalks along some stretches of the street.

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  • Why are there new water pipes being installed and hydrants open in town?

    The East Palestine Water Department recently started a water main and lead service line replacement program that will continue through spring 2024. This is not related to the train derailment but is a long-term project that has been in the planning stages for a few years. Work is completed on…

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  • What is the status of the cleanup work in the streams?

    There is still more work to be done in Leslie and Sulphur Runs. EPA and Ohio EPA are reviewing the Norfolk Southern sediment mitigation workplan. More cleaning will likely start before April and is expected to continue through July.

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  • What do the symbols and words on my water well sampling results mean?

    One common symbol on results is μg/L, which stands for microgram per liter. This indicates the mass of a chemical in one liter of water. Columbiana County Health District has a guide to help understand terms in well sampling results reports. You can find the guide at Columbiana Health Data…

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  • How is wastewater being collected at the derailment site?

    EPA is ensuring that water coming into contact with the derailment site does not runoff into the surrounding area. Wastewater is generated after rain falls on a contaminated area, and from cleaning and washing trucks before they leave the derailment site. Wastewater is collected with pumps and pipes, and temporarily…

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  • Do I need to do anything to ensure my pool is safe?

    There is no current evidence of aerial deposition from the derailment that would impact pools, however ongoing soil sampling and surface water sampling will assist in further verifying the status of aerial deposition. Following these activities, messaging on private pools will be updated as necessary.

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  • What else can cause urine to test positive for thiodiglycolic acid?

    Thiodiglycolic acid is commonly found in general populations who have not been exposed to vinyl chloride. Some sources can include: Certain foods including raw onions, meat, poultry, and seafood. Some medications, including Zyrtec, and vitamins. Alcoholic beverages. Smoke including from wood fireplaces, cooking, and cigarettes. Some household products including paints…

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  • If I get a urine test, what does that indicate?

    If I get a urine test, what does that indicate? Urine tests show the level of thiodiglycolic acid–a break-down product of vinyl chloride. A complete lab report will show your thiodiglyocolic acid results compared to the normal range commonly found in people in the United States. But this test does…

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  • Is there a temporary water treatment system being installed on the site?

    Norfolk Southern has brought in water treatment equipment and made a request to EPA and Ohio EPA to approve a plan for on-site treatment of water that came into contact with contaminated areas. Currently, this water is treated as hazardous waste because it has come into contact with site contamination…

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