Federal, state, local officials give update on East Palestine cleanup

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Federal, state and local officials gave updates on the cleanup progress in East Palestine, Saturday.

According to the U.S. EPA, nearly 600 home air screenings have been conducted. All have come back at normal levels. Tests are still being offered to anyone inside that evacuation zone.

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When it comes to contaminated soil, there is a change in who makes the decision on where to put it and how to move it.

“Moving forward, waste disposal plans, including disposal and transportation routes for contaminated waste, will be subject to federal EPA review and approval,” U.S. EPA Region 5 Administrator Debra Shore said.

Water testing continues, as well. Many neighbors have told Channel 11 they are concerned about who is conducting these tests. Officials from the state of Ohio and East Palestine said today that samples are split between a contractor and the county.

“Ohio EPA took tests starting this week. We will test weekly the municipal water,” Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel said.

The CDC is also on the ground conducting surveys about health issues since the derailment.

“We’re happy to be here to learn any more information about any potential health effects that may have occurred to individuals as a result of this incident,” CDC Team Lead Jill Shugart said. “We are continuing to monitor and can provide recommendations based on those results.”

Any business owners with questions or concerns can go to this website for more information: BUSINESSHELP@DEVELOPMENT.OHIO.GOV.

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Concerns linger in East Palestine as EPA, FEMA teams planned to canvass neighborhoods

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