Nearly 15,000 pounds and 1.1 million gallons of contaminated soil and water were excavated from the site of the devastating East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment, according to the Epoch Times.
In a statement regarding the incident, train operator Norfolk Southern explained that the contaminated soil and water would be transferred to landfills “designed” to contain them.
“Additionally, a series of pumps have been placed upstream to reroute Sulphur Run around the derailment site,” Norfolk Southern said.
“The affected portion of Sulphur Run has been dammed to protect water downstream.”
“Environmental teams are treating the impacted portions of Sulphur Run with booms, aeration, and carbon filtration units,” the statement continued.
The company is “also working with stream experts to collect soil and groundwater samples to develop a comprehensive plan to address any contamination that remains in the stream banks and sediment.”
The train derailed in East Palestine on its way to Conway, Pennsylvania on Feb. 3, the Epoch Times reports. It had recently departed from Madison, Illinois with nearly 50 freight cars attached.
According to the Epoch Times’ report, officials evacuated the surrounding area shortly after the derailment, but lifted the order after burning a cocktail of chemicals such as vinyl chloride, ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol monobutyl and butyl acrylate on Feb. 6.
The burn was described as a “controlled release,” despite sending unknown amounts of phosgene and hydrogen chloride into the air.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine (R) issued a statement a week and a half later, suggesting that the area is “safe,” but residents’ concerns over the chemical fallout will not be disregarded.
“We know that the science says that East Palestine is safe, but we also know that residents are very worried,” said Governor DeWine.
“They are asking themselves ‘Is my headache just a headache? Or is it a result of the chemical spill? Are other medical symptoms caused by the spill?’ Those are very legitimate questions and residents deserve answers.”
Former President Donald Trump is set to visit East Palestine on Wednesday.
His son, Donald Trump Jr., shared a video message onboard a plane purportedly headed to the Ohio town, hitting President Joe Biden and other Democrats for failing to visit.
Don Trump Jr:
“Since Pete Buttigieg, Joe Biden, the Democrat Party, and most of DC refuses to do their actual job somebody has to step up and fill that void. We’re going to East Palestine, Ohio. We’re going to meet with the people there.” pic.twitter.com/cdbjG8nYAv
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) February 22, 2023
