CLEAR researchers investigate toxic spill at East Palestine OH train derailment
On February 3, 2023, at 8:55 pm EST, a Norfolk Southern train derailment occurred in East Palestine, OH. Of the 38 derailed train cars, eleven cars were carrying hazardous materials. The three primary hazardous chemicals were vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, and 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate. The community located within a one-mile by two-mile area surrounding ground zero was evacuated from February 6th to February 8th.
With several unanswered questions, on February 16, 2023, CLEAR trainee and post-doc Brendan O’Leary contacted a past collaborator, Freshwater Accountability Project, to volunteer assistance. By February 18th, the initial team was created, composed of Dr. Yuri Gorby and Leatra Harper (Freshwater Accountability Project), Frank Rocchio (Ohio Valley Environmental Advocates), Dr. John Stolz (Duquesne University, PA), and Drs. Judy Westrick, Carol Miller, and Brendan O’Leary (Wayne State University, MI). Dr. Miller is the co-MPI of CLEAR, whereas Dr. Westrick co-leads the center's Chemical Analysis Core. The team was later joined by Jill Antares Hunkler (Environmental Advocate).
The first set of environmental samples (well water, surface water, sediment from Leslie Run, soil, and sorbent materials) was collected from March 3 to March 4th. These samples were screened for VOCs, vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, and 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate. Similar to the earlier findings of the EPA, the team found no detectable concentrations of the listed contaminants. in the water samples. We detected low ppb levels of butyl acrylate and 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate in both Leslie Run surface water and sediment. Furthermore, the 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate concentration in the water collected after disturbing the sediment measured over three times higher than in the undisturbed water. These results suggest that Leslie Run sediment is contaminated. Finally, both vinyl chloride and 2-ethyl hexyl acrylate were extracted from sorbent materials (air filter dust and charcoal). This preliminary data suggests that everyday absorbent materials such as toys, mattresses, pillows, and Styrofoam decorations, have the potential to off-gas these chemicals over time. Household air filters, vacuum bags, and dust rags should be cleaned or discarded, regularly.
Since the firefighters used PFAS for fire containment, soil samples were analyzed for PFAS and our results support that the PFAS was contained to the derailment area. Dr. Westrick has teamed with Erin Haney from the University of Kentucky to investigate the impact on the community members and her group will be performing vinyl chloride analysis on urine samples.
Transporting hazardous chemicals is always dangerous and it is important to mitigate the risk through regulation and emergency preparedness. Our team of researchers was able to respond quickly and provide the East Palestine community with information and data independent of Norfolk Southern Corporation and regulators.
Learn more about the disastrous train derailment at East Palestine OH at this webpage created by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): https://www.epa.gov/east-palestine-oh-train-derailment