×

8.1M gallons of wastewater removed from EP

EAST PALESTINE — According to the Ohio EPA, approximately 8.1 million gallons of liquid wastewater have been hauled out of East Palestine in total. There is currently a pile of approximately 26,500 tons of excavated soil waiting for removal from East Palestine, versus 9,000 tons that have been removed.

EPA has reviewed preliminary data from some of the soil sampling related to the controlled burn that occurred during response actions to the train derailment in East Palestine. While final results will be available in the coming weeks, EPA’s review of the preliminary data indicates levels of semi-volatile organic chemicals and dioxins in the samples are similar to typical background levels.

At the derailment site:

¯ Increased truck traffic along designated trucking routes

¯ Taggart Street is still closed to the public

¯ Continued excavation and construction work at the site

¯ Trucks continue to take soil off site

¯ Two street sweepers will continue around truck traffic, and crews continue to clean trucks before leaving the site

In the greater community:

¯ Air monitoring continues at 23 locations around the community

¯ EPA’s Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) mobile laboratory will continue to sample

¯ Soil sampling crews in right of ways:

¯ Crews made up of 4-5 people wearing high visibility safety vests and scooping soil into jars

¯ If one’s property is nearby the sampling area and the sampling crew sees signs of soot or ash, a member of the sampling team may ask to sample the property

¯ River agitation and aeration will continue

Response By the Numbers

¯ 8,442 tons est. of contaminated soil shipped

¯ 7.8 million est. gallons of liquid wastewater shipped

¯ 621 indoor air screenings

¯ The Welcome Center has received 377 visitors Soil Removal at the Derailment Site

EPA and Norfolk Southern contractors continue to take soil samples at agricultural, commercial, recreational and residential properties in both Ohio and Pennsylvania. To date, 102 properties have been sampled. This soil sampling effort will help identify if contaminants, including SVOCs and dioxins, are present and may have been caused by the train derailment.

EPA has reviewed preliminary data from some of the soil sampling related to the controlled burn that occurred during response actions to the train derailment in East Palestine. While final results will be available in the coming weeks, EPA’s review of the preliminary data indicates levels of semi-volatile organic chemicals and dioxins in the samples are similar to typical background levels.

To date, 621 indoor air screenings have been conducted. Air monitoring continues 24/7 at 23 stations throughout the community. No detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride have been identified.

During the soil removal at the derailment site, EPA and independent contractors are conducting air monitoring within the work zone and throughout the surrounding community. This includes continuous air monitoring and sampling at the site and throughout the community as well as the use of EPA’s Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) mobile laboratory which is conducting an air monitoring route near the soil excavation area. EPA does not anticipate exceedances of levels of health concern as a result of the soil removal work.

Storm Water Management

Water management efforts were successful during this week’s rain event. The permanent piping that pumps clean rainwater around the derailment site to prevent contamination worked as designed. All impacted water that accumulated onsite was recovered, contained, and is being shipped offsite.

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 next week are:

Monday-Tuesday: Noon to 6 p.m.

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 W. Martin St. For information, call the Columbiana County Health District at 330-424-0272.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today