Contamination removal project at the Ohio derailment location paused by EPA

Health & SafetyBehind the Wheel
Written By Jennifer Joslyn

The efforts underway in East Palestine, Ohio to remove contaminated waste from the location of a fiery train derailment in early February have been “temporarily halted” by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The agency ordered the Norfolk Southern railroad to pause its shipments of the material away from the location - a job relegated specifically to the rail company with the assistance of Ohio environmental officials-approved disposal sites.

Debra Shore, the Region 5 administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, has stated the reason for the pause is to ensure all hazardous material is safely and lawfully disposed of. Regardless of assurances by politicians and the EPA, concerned citizens in the area have continually voiced upset over the chemical spill and the resulting possible contamination of the air and drinking water.

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