“Decade-Long Water Monitoring Program Announced for Residents Near Ohio Train Derailment Site”
The aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train derailment and chemical fire in East Palestine, Ohio, continues to impact residents in the surrounding areas, including those in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced plans to monitor private drinking water wells for Pennsylvania residents living within one mile of the accident site for the next decade.
A recent study found that toxic chemicals from the incident spread to at least 16 states, highlighting the widespread impact of the disaster. The chemicals released in the spill, such as vinyl chloride, 2-butoxyethanol, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, are known to cause a range of health issues, including headaches, nausea, neurological problems, liver damage, and cancer.
Despite assurances from officials that there is no ongoing contamination related to the derailment and controlled burn that followed, residents in the area have reported lingering health problems. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection will continue to monitor the private drinking water and groundwater to ensure the safety of residents and take immediate action if any issues arise.
The monitoring program is part of a proposed federal settlement between Norfolk Southern and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which also includes funding for private water well monitoring in Ohio and a 20-year community health program. This program offers medical monitoring for residents within two miles of the derailment site and first responders, as well as mental health services for affected individuals.
Norfolk Southern will pay $15 million in fines for Clean Water Act violations and make improvements to its safety operations, estimated to cost $1 billion. The settlement has faced criticism from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the state’s attorney general, who are pushing for more extensive testing, health treatment costs coverage, and additional safety measures from the company.
In addition to the federal settlement, Norfolk Southern has reached a $600 million private class-action settlement for residents living within 20 miles of the site. Residents had to decide whether to accept compensation for personal injuries in exchange for waiving the right to sue in the future for illnesses related to chemical exposure.
The ongoing monitoring and settlements underscore the long-lasting impact of the East Palestine train derailment and serve as a reminder of the importance of environmental safety and accountability in the face of industrial disasters.