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  • How does EPA oversee cleanup at the derailment site?

    EPA leads the Unified Command consisting of different agencies to approve Norfolk Southern’s workplans and weekly activities. EPA also coordinates with other agencies to perform oversight, such as with Ohio EPA, the Columbiana County Health District, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. EPA and Ohio EPA personnel oversee safety…

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  • What are dioxins and how common are they?

    Dioxins are found throughout the world in the environment. Dioxins are a result of industrial processes and other activities such as burning fuels like wood, coal, or oil. Dioxins are called persistent organic pollutants, meaning they take a long time to break down once they are in the environment.

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  • What are the health agencies doing?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are analyzing their Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey results to assess the health impacts of the train derailment. CDC and ATSDR continue to support the Ohio and Pennsylvania health departments and will be…

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  • Now that the track is rebuilt, what else needs to be done and how long will it take?

    There is still a lot of work to do. Contaminated soil to the north and south of the tracks need to be removed. A full site assessment, including extensive sampling, of areas and properties near the derailment site needs to be conducted. A full assessment of impacted creeks will be…

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  • I have heard about research being conducted by the University of Kentucky. What is the health tracking survey?

    University of Kentucky College of Public Health researcher Dr. Erin N. Haynes and her team received a grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to conduct a long-term health study with and for the residents of East Palestine and the surrounding area. The first step is to learn more…

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  • What kind of screening does the East Liverpool City Hospital's East Palestine Clinic offer related to the train derailment?

    The screening tests are based on recommendations by specialists in toxicology to monitor anyone exposed to substances from the train derailment. The tests include urine and blood tests. A urinalysis is done that looks for problems involving the kidneys. The blood tests include a complete blood count (CBC) and a…

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  • Are any other tests ordered?

    There may be based on the evaluation by the physician or other healthcare provider. If a patient is having specific symptoms there may be other tests needed. For example, if a patient is short of breath, they may need to have a chest x-ray or other tests done to evaluate…

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  • How much flexibility do applicants have in refining the Outcomes and Outcomes over time using an adaptive management approach?

    Full Question How much flexibility do applicants have in refining the Outcomes and Outputs identified in their application over time using an adaptive management approach? Answer EPA recognizes that “adaptive management” can be an effective tool in getting the best results. Adjustments to outputs and outcomes based on the adaptive…

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  • Do we have to pair hands-on, place-based Great Lakes enviro education with one of the other GLRI actions/related MOP?

    Full Question Do we have to pair hands-on, place-based Great Lakes enviro education (i.e., GLRI Measure of Progress, GLRI MOP 5.1.1 youth impacted through education and stewardship projects) with one of the other GLRI actions/related MOP? Answer Projects that relate to 5.1.1 are not required to connect to another specific…

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  • Should applications include Outputs and Outcomes related to Project Subrecipient evaluation criteria?

    EPA cannot provide a recommendation on this question. Applicants must decide whether or not they develop outputs and outcomes based on Project Subrecipient evaluation criteria for themselves. Please see section I.F. for information on Outcomes, Outputs, and Performance Metrics which includes information on performance measurement and evaluation plans.

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  • How do applicants reflect the 6th year of funding on the SF424A form, as there is only room for 5 years?

    We realize this is a limitation of the form and expect applicants to provide information to the best of their ability. Applicants should also provide sufficient information in the budget narrative section of their application.

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  • If there is a government shutdown, will work continue on the cleanup?

    A 45-day continuing resolution was recently passed to avoid a shutdown. EPA’s emergency response efforts, such as in East Palestine, would move forward under a lapse in appropriation. As a result, EPA personnel would continue to fully support those efforts during a lapse.

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  • What is the process for refilling excavated areas at the derailment site?

    Areas that were excavated as part of the derailment cleanup effort will be backfilled with clean soil. Before soil is chosen as backfill it is tested for chemicals and heavy metals. While the source of backfill is still being identified, some areas have been temporarily backfilled with ballast (large gravel)…

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  • Can letters of support be emailed directly to EPA?

    Only materials submitted as part of the grant application submitted on Grants.gov will be considered. If supporters wish to send letters directly to EPA, they may email ( [email protected] ). However, for them to be considered with the application, the applicant organization should be copied on those email messages with…

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  • Are there specific medical tests available for vinyl chloride?

    Medical tests to determine if you have been exposed to vinyl chloride include measuring vinylchloride in your breath but must be collected shortly after exposure. The test is not useful forvery low levels of exposure. Thiodiglycolic acid, which is a breakdown product of vinyl chloride detected in urine, can also…

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