A view of the scene Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, as the cleanup continues at the site of of a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment that happened on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. (AP Photo/Matt Freed)

EAST PALESTINE — Nearly a month after the Norfolk Southern train derailment and a day after beginning door-to-door outreach, federal and state officials addressed public health concerns and announced that Environmental Protection Agency will now oversee all disposal of contaminated materials during a press conference held Sunday in the parking lot behind Centenary United Methodist Church.

Debra Shore, U.S. EPA Region 5 administrator, said that until Saturday, it was Norfolk Southern “who had been solely responsible for the disposal of waste” generated by the derailment.

Current and future disposal decisions will now be made by the EPA.

“Moving forward waste disposal plans, including disposal location and transportation routes for contaminated waste will be subject to Federal EPA review and approval,” she said. “The EPA will ensure that all waste is disposed of in a safe and lawful manner at EPA-certified facilities to prevent further release of hazardous substances and impacts to the communities. One thing that has been made clear to me is that everyone wants this contamination gone from the community.”

Anne Vogel, director of the Ohio EPA, gave an update on the progress that has already been made as far as cleanup efforts.

“If you have been anywhere near the derailment, it’s definitely looking better,” she said. “You can see dirt being hauled, liquids being stored and hauled off and you can see scrap being removed. That is all part of the initial phase of emergency response so we’re removing into the remediation phase.”

That remediation phase includes aeration and the implementation of monitoring wells as a long-term plan to detect and protect against possible contamination.”

The federal team also addressed concerns over reports that the drinking water was deemed safe only on data provided by Norfolk Southern. Vogel said that several samples have been taken and tested. Those included samples taken by a Norfolk Southern contractor as well as samples taken and tested by county officials. The Ohio EPA began taking and testing samples this week and those results will be posted on the agency’s website.

Vogel stressed that evidence shows “the municipal water was safe and it is not in the path of the contamination from the derailment,” Vogel said.

The interagency team also confirmed that the the EPA had been able to conduct 574 home re-entry screenings and continues to monitor air at 15 outdoor stations. Air screenings will continue to be offered to any resident within the evacuation zone.

The federal teams already announced a public meeting and open house set for 6 p.m. Thursday at East Palestine High School, as well as plans for a chemical exposure survey by the CDC and the establishment of a new information hotline at 1-866-361-0526 that will be staffed by FEMA from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. to assist residents and community members.

Businesses impacted by the derailment can also seek support.

“We want businesses in this community to get back to life as they knew it before this accident,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Ohio Department of Development. “A lot of information has been disseminated over the last several weeks for residents that need assistance, but we want to be sure that our businesses are getting the help that they need.”

Business owners can direct their questions and concerns to businesshelp@development.ohio.gov.