美国环保局关于俄亥俄州火车脱轨事件的声明

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美国环保局（EPA）第五区地区行政长官Debra Shore关于俄州东巴勒斯坦火车脱轨事件的声明

2023年2月14日

联系信息

Rachel Bassler ([e-mail])

312-965-8901

"环保局第五区的首要任务是--并将永远是--整个地区社区的健康和安全。这就是为什么环保局在2月3日星期五接到诺福克南方公司火车出轨的通知后，环保局人员在星期六凌晨2点前就到现场协助进行空气监测。从那时起，环保局就一直在实地开展工作，在东巴勒斯坦及其周边地区进行强有力的空气质量测试，包括使用最先进的ASPECT飞机和一个移动分析实验室。

自2月8日火灾发生后，环保局的空气监测没有在该社区检测到任何可归因于火车脱轨的健康问题。空气监测数据已于2月8日提供给州卫生机构，以便在州政府决定取消疏散前进行审查。

截至2月14日，环保局根据向居民提供的自愿筛查计划，协助对396个家庭进行了筛查，没有发现氯乙烯或氯化氢的检测结果。今天计划对另外65个家庭进行检查。我们正在继续进行24/7的空气监测，以确保居民的健康和安全。

环保局第5区也正在与俄亥俄州环保局密切合作，以确定泄漏对地表和地下水的影响。州和地方机构正在对整个俄亥俄河进行采样，以确保饮用水取水口不受影响，环保局正继续协助州政府在俄亥俄河沿岸的水处理取水口进行采样工作。

环保局第5区还向诺福克南方公司发出潜在责任的一般通知函，以记录危险污染物的释放。该信概述了环保局在该地点采取的行动，以及根据环保局的CERCLA授权要求铁路公司对相关费用负责的可能性。

今天早些时候，我向德温州长确认，环保局第5区将继续支持俄亥俄州，因为他们在火车脱轨现场领导应对工作。通过应急人员的协调努力，我们将继续保护所有居民的健康和安全"。

欲了解更多信息，环保局第5区已经设立了一条由社区协调员负责的专用电话[phone]），并为居民创建了一个网页，以便随时了解最新的监测结果：

https://response.epa.gov/EastPalestineTrainDerailment

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以下内容来自EPA网站，英文内容可以用微信翻译成中文阅读。

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U.S. EPA Information Line: [phone]

Columbiana County Emergency Management Agency: [phone]

To request air monitoring at your home

Residential Re-Entry Request Hotline: [phone]

Assistance for evacuated residents

Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center: [phone]

For press inquiries, please contact [e-mail]

Feb. 14, 2023 Update  

Earlier this afternoon, U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore issued a statement on the emergency response at East Palestine, Ohio. The statement is available here: https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/statement-regional-administrator-debra-shore-east-palestine-train-derailment  

On the evening of Feb. 13, U.S. EPA discontinued air monitoring for phosgene and hydrogen chloride community air monitoring. After the fire was extinguished on Feb. 8, the threat of vinyl chloride fire producing phosgene and hydrogen chloride no longer exists. U.S. EPA will continue 24-hour community air monitoring for other chemicals of concern.  

As of end of the day February 13th, U.S. EPA has screened indoor air at 396 homes, with 100 homes remaining, and 65 homes on the schedule for today. 

Feb. 13, 2023 Update 

Re-Entry air screenings are underway. Community air monitoring will continue operating 24 hours a day. As of yesterday evening, 291 homes have been screened. To date, no detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride were identified for the completed screened homes. There are 181 homes that remain to be screened.

U.S. EPA has deployed two more Summa air sampling canisters for continuous sampling. Local schools and the library were screened yesterday.

US EPA’s network of air monitoring stations throughout the East Palestine area did not detect anything above the action level. 

Feb. 12, 2023 Update 

EPA has posted a document from Norfolk Southern listing the cars that were involved in the derailment and the products they were carrying.

EPA was initially informed orally of the contents of derailed cars in order to develop a plan for air monitoring. Upon request, Norfolk Southern provided the attached list detailing the rail cars that may have derailed in the incident. This was created by Norfolk Southern and EPA cannot speak to the design or creation of this document. 

Air Monitoring 

U.S. EPA continues to conduct air monitoring throughout the East Palestine community. Air monitoring since the fire went out has not detected any levels of concern in the community that can be attributed to the incident at this time. For example, there have been some exceedances of PM2.5 screening values, but those are both upwind and downwind of the derailment site so likely had another cause.

Residents may still smell odors from the site. If you experience symptoms, Columbiana County Health Department recommends calling your medical provider.

The duration of community air monitoring will be guided using a data- and evidence-based approach. As information continues to be collected, EPA, in consultation with local authorities, will develop a plan to eventually phase out community air monitoring.

Indoor Air Screening

EPA provided air monitoring data to health agencies and the local fire department to make the determination whether residents could return to their homes. EPA air monitoring devices used for indoor air screening as part of the voluntary home screening effort can detect vinyl chloride and other chemicals of concern from the derailment.

As of yesterday evening, 210 homes have been screened. To date, no detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride were identified for the completed screened homes. There are 218 homes that still remain to be screened.

Screening levels

Screening levels or exposure limits are concentrations of specific chemicals in media (air, water, soil). ATSDR uses screening levels to determine if more evaluation is needed. Levels above a minimal risk level are not necessarily harmful; the potential for harm depends on how high the levels were and how long the exposure lasted, along with personal traits and habits.

General screening levels for chemicals are established by health professionals and organizations such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substance and Disease Registry (ATSDR) in conjunction with state health departments. These general numbers help guide health and safety for workers and the community during the response.  

Feb. 11, 2023 Update

U.S. EPA has issued a general notice of potential liability letter to Norfolk Southern to document the release or threat of release of hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants to the environment following the train derailment. The letter outlines EPA cleanup actions at the site and the potential to hold the railroad accountable for associated costs. The letter can be found under the Documents section of this website.

U.S. EPA continues to assist Norfolk Southern and Columbiana Emergency Management Agency with voluntary residential air screening. As of last night, 105 residential homes have had their indoor air screened.

Feb. 10, 2023 Update

U.S. EPA is assisting with voluntary residential air screening appointments offered by Norfolk Southern. As of last night, crews have screened indoor air at a total of 46 homes. There are over 400 requests for indoor air screening remaining. To increase the rate of screening, Norfolk Southern—with U.S. EPA assistance—is bringing more teams and equipment to East Palestine.

Ohio EPA is leading efforts to investigate and remediate impacts to water. To support these efforts, U.S. EPA took water samples in Sulphur Run and will collect more samples of surface water at several points of nearby water streams.

Norfolk Southern contractors installed a dam and a water bypass at Sulphur Run to prevent further contamination of downstream waters. They have also stopped spillage of remaining spilled product onto the stream.

February 9, 2023 Update 

U.S. EPA continued stationary and roaming air monitoring surrounding the derailment scene. Air monitoring will follow through the weekend

A Frequently Asked Questions document is available at the “Documents” section of this website. This FAQ focuses on air monitoring in the surrounding area.  

U.S. EPA field teams are attending voluntary residential air screening appointments offered by Norfolk Southern. Appointment scheduling and data management is being conducted by CTEH, contractor for Norfolk Southern. 

U.S. EPA is working with Ohio EPA to investigate remaining soil contamination at the site of the derailment and impacts to surface water. U.S. EPA collected samples of spilled material near the derailment site and in Sulphur Run.

February 8, 2023 Update 

U.S. EPA continued stationary and roaming air monitoring surrounding the derailment scene

Yesterday, the 52nd Civil Service Team conducted air monitoring in three public administration buildings and collected air samples from each building. 

Air monitoring and air sampling are two different methods of looking at air quality:

• Air monitoring utilizes devices to provide real-time readings of general levels of airborne contaminants.

• Air sampling involves collecting an air sample over a period of time, then sending it to a laboratory for analysis for a wide range of contaminants to more accurately detect, identify and quantify specific chemical compounds. This process takes longer because there are more steps involved (collection, shipment, analysis, validating data, generating reports).

U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA inspected the wreck site and found spilled materials in Sulphur Run. Oily product was found leaking from a tank car and pooling on to the soil. Norfolk Southern was notified of the spill and began removing the product using a vacuum truck.

Last night, U.S. EPA investigated a complaint of odors from the Darlington Township, Pennsylvania fire station. A team with air monitoring equipment was dispatched to the station, where they did not observe any contaminants above detection limits.

At around 9 p.m. last night, air monitoring instruments detected increased concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) downwind of the derailment fire, but they remained below the screening level for VOCs.

Fires in two rail cars containing non-hazardous cargo increased in intensity as Norfolk Southern continued work in the cars. Particulate matter was the only parameter detected above screening levels. U.S. EPA collected two air samples for analysis at its mobile laboratory.

EPA is providing assistance to health departments in developing residential screening procedures.

For more information about particulate matter, visit www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics.

February 7, 2023 Update 

During Norfolk Southern’s controlled burn yesterday of rail cars containing vinyl chloride, U.S. EPA air monitoring detected particulate matter resulting from the fire.

U.S. EPA air monitoring did not detect chemical contaminants of concern in the hours following the controlled burn.

Residents in the area and tens of miles away may smell odors coming from the site. This is because the byproducts of the controlled burn have a low odor threshold. This means people may smell these contaminants at levels much lower than what is considered hazardous.

U.S. EPA continues to perform air monitoring throughout the community. This morning, U.S. EPA's ASPECT (Airborne Spectral Photometric Environmental Collection Technology) plane conducted a flyover to gather additional data regarding air quality.

U.S. EPA is currently working with Norfolk Southern, health departments and other responding agencies to develop procedures for safely reoccupying the evacuated areas.

February 6, 2023 Update 

Air Monitoring and Sampling

Last night, a change in operations prompted U.S. EPA to assess air monitoring and air sampling locations. U.S. EPA moved air monitoring stations in preparation for a planned burn of affected rail cars, and resumed real-time air monitoring operations this afternoon. Prior to the relocation, air monitoring readings were below detection levels for most contaminants, except for particulate matter.

In addition to real-time air monitoring, U.S. EPA is collecting air samples in conjunction with the 52nd Civil Support Team—a specialized unit of the Ohio National Guard—for onsite and laboratory analysis.

Affected Water Streams

Ohio EPA is leading efforts to investigate and address impacts to Sulphur Run and Leslie Run.

February 5, 2023 Update

Air Monitoring

U.S. EPA community air monitoring readings did not detect any contaminants of concern other than particulate matter on Feb. 5. Norfolk Southern’s contractor has also been conducting air monitoring in both the community and near/in work zones. Low levels of VOCs have been detected for brief periods in the community near the work zones and staging areas. Roaming air monitoring teams conducted additional air monitoring in these areas to verify localized readings. Additionally, low levels of VOCs and nitrogen dioxide have been detected within the active work zones. Initial air sample results are expected by Feb. 8 with additional samples being shipped off to a contract lab for analysis.

Water Runoff

Recovery operations utilizing a vacuum truck and sorbent pads are ongoing. Aeration pumps began operating at three locations along Sulphur Run and the confluence with Leslie Run. The East Palestine Water Treatment Plant confirmed there were no adverse effects to the treatment plant. U.S. EPA and Norfolk Southern contractors have collected surface water samples for analysis. Results are not expected until Feb. 7-8.

February 4, 2023 Update

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is responding to the site of the February 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. EPA On-Scene Coordinators and contractors are conducting fixed and roaming air monitoring and providing technical assistance to the East Palestine Fire Department and other responding agencies. Measures are also being taken to sample and mitigate any possible impacts from runoff from the fire to the Sulphur Run and Leslie Run streams.

Air Monitoring

U.S. EPA deployed real-time air monitoring instruments in 12 locations surrounding the fire and in the neighboring community. In addition, one air sample was collected in downtown East Palestine for laboratory analysis. U.S. EPA is monitoring for volatile organic compounds (also known as VOCs) including vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate. U.S. EPA is also monitoring levels of carbon monoxide, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen cyanide, phosgene, and hydrogen chloride, as well as measuring the flammability of gases in the perimeter.

In addition to the fixed air monitoring stations, handheld monitors are being used to monitor areas of significant odor. Butyl acrylate has a low odor threshold of 0.035 parts per million (ppm), which means people can smell it in the air even at very low levels. In comparison, current screening levels for used on the incident for any VOCs is 0.1 ppm.

Water Runoff

Responding crews discovered contaminated runoff on two surface water streams: Sulphur Run and Leslie Run. Under Ohio EPA oversight, Norfolk Southern emergency response contractors installed booms and underflow dams to restrict the flow of contaminated water as well as contain and collect floating product.

U.S. EPA took water samples at the streams and has sent them to a laboratory for analysis. Emergency response staff noticed impacted aquatic life and notified the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Department of Interior. Ohio DNR is on site and is assessing the situation and the impacts to aquatic life. Downstream water utilities were also notified.

Background 

A train derailment occurred at approximately 8:55 PM EST on February 3, 2023 in East Palestine, OH. 

Norfolk Southern reported the incident at 10:53 PM ET to the National Response Center.  At that time, it was reported that an unknown number of the 150 train cars had derailed, but 20 of the cars were listed as carrying hazardous materials.  Approximately 50 cars were affected by the derailment with the rest being uncoupled and removed from the scene.  A fire is still active as of February 5, 2023 and local officials have issued evacuation orders for the surrounding area.

U.S. EPA is assisting with the response by providing stationary and roaming air monitoring in the area surrounding the fire and neighboring community.  Measures are also being taken to sample and mitigate any possible impacts to Sulphur Run and Leslie Run.

Community residents should monitor the East Palestine Information Facebook page for updates and information about how to stay safe.

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