As the Shapiro Administration continues to assist local communities recover from the Norfolk Southern train derailment on February 3rd, the Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection, Health, and Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency are providing updates on state actions and resources for residents of Beaver and Lawrence counties.

Work is ongoing to provide individuals, businesses, and communities the information and resources they need to resume normal daily activities and operations. Please share this update with your family, friends, and communities via email or the Internet. It may also be printed and distributed.

Anyone is welcome to receive email updates. Sign up at the DEP train derailment web page: dep.pa.gov/OhioTrainDerailment.

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) released a new interactive mapping tool that shows final sample results from soil and water testing conducted by DEP in the wake of the East Palestine train derailment on February 3, 2023. Pennsylvanians can use this tool to review sampling results in the vicinity of the derailment.

“Results so far indicate that the chemicals from the derailment have not been detected in either soil or water, and we will continue to sample to ensure that there is not any contamination spreading from the derailment site,” said Rich Negrin, Acting Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection. “This map is an excellent tool to show the scope of the sampling that we have done and to be able to reassure people that their water and their soil are safe. We are thrilled that the results so far do not show signs of contamination in Pennsylvania from this derailment, but we are going to remain vigilant and continue our monitoring to ensure that any contamination from the derailment site does not spread.”

The map shows key details from the derailment including the derailment location and the 2-mile radius that had been evacuated. Final sample results from soil, surface water, private drinking water wells, and public water system wells are available.

“Farmers depend on healthy soil and water to produce food that is safe for their families and customers,” said Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “We commend the Department Environmental Protection for working diligently and carefully to review and validate results of water and soil testing. The Department of Agriculture has been present, listening to area farmers so that we can take the critical step of validating their concerns. This interactive map will be valuable to all Pennsylvanians who depend on healthy soil and water for their lives and livelihoods.”

“The Department has been on the scene since the first hours after the derailment, and we will continue to stay in affected communities as long as it takes to assure Pennsylvanians’ their air, water and soil are safe,” said Negrin. “We have been in touch with the landowners and residents that have had these tests conducted, and we will be continuing to take samples and update this map with final results as they are available.”

Samples were tested for chemicals of concern identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Unified Command. Additional chemicals will be tested in future rounds of sampling. The map also includes a time-lapse feature to show where and when samples were collected. Additional sample locations and dates will be added to the map as they are available.

The DEP interactive map can be found at gis.dep.pa.gov/OhioDerailmentTesting

Water and soil monitoring in Beaver and Lawrence county communities has been ongoing in response to the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Norfolk Southern (under EPA order and supervision) have all been collecting and analyzing water and soil.

DEP began by sampling private drinking water wells and public water supplies, then added surface waters (streams, rivers, and lakes), and then soil. As final water and soil sampling results become available, they’re publicly available on the new DEP GIS map: gis.dep.pa.gov/OhioDerailmentTesting.

Private drinking water wells and public water supplies within the two-mile radius of the derailment site have been sampled and will be resampled in coming weeks. If you live in the two-mile radius and had your private well sampled, you will receive a phone call when results are available, followed by a final report in the mail.

Surface waters were sampled within a one-mile radius, and additional locations could be sampled if a threat or source of contamination is discovered. 

Soil is being sampled within the two-mile radius zone and within an area nearly three and a half miles downwind of the derailment site. Sampling locations were determined by placing a grid over these areas. The grid squares measure 2,000 feet by 2,000 feet, and samples are collected where the lines intersect.

By using grid sampling, DEP can evaluate the entire area around and downwind of the derailment site for potential deposition. DEP is trying to accommodate as many individual requests as possible for soil sampling, and if there’s a request near a gridline intersection, a sample is taken at that location. All soil test locations and results will be posted on the DEP GIS map as they become available.

Pennsylvania residents who have health concerns related to the derailment can call the state Department of Health hotline to request a referral to address their health concerns. Staff will connect you to the appropriate local health care services, with access to care open to all, regardless of someone’s insurance or transportation situation.

This hotline and resource network replaced the Health Resource Center that had been operating at the Darlington Township building, which served more than 580 people during its operation.

If you have questions or concerns about potential impacts from the derailment, you’ll find a list of many state and federal resources and their phone numbers, websites, and email addresses in this new Resource Sheet from Pennsylvania state agencies. Print and keep it on hand, and share with your family and friends, too. 

The online Train Derailment Dashboard from the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency provides links to many resources and updates from state and federal agencies for Pennsylvanians affected by the derailment.

You can find out where to submit a claim to Norfolk Southern, how to submit a complaint to the state attorney general if you’re experiencing a lasting impact, and other helpful information. Visit the dashboard online at pema.pa.gov/derailment.

As of April 25, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports the south track rail restoration has been completed, with excavation work already begun along the north track.

You can find more news on EPA activities at and around the derailment site, as well as answers to common questions, in a weekly newsletter EPA publishes online and mails to surrounding communities, including Darlington. To see the current newsletter, visit this EPA web page.