EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Local officials are closely monitoring the air and water in East Palestine, Ohio after a devastating train derailment on February 3, 2023, that released toxic vinyl chloride. According to the Scioto County Emergency Management Agency, the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO) and the Ohio Environment Protection Agency (OEPA) have been monitoring the Ohio River for signs of contamination from the accident. Recently, ORSANCO discovered Butyl Acrylate, an organic compound used commercially in various products, in the raw river water intake at Weirton, WV. Subsequent tests conducted at Steubenville, Ohio also detected the chemical in the water samples.
On February 11, 2023, the City of Steubenville Water Department was advised by the City of Cincinnati on how to neutralize the chemical by using 175lbs/MG of powder-activated carbon (PAC). Steubenville immediately increased its PAC usage to three times the normal daily amount and also added 2mg/l of chlorine to ensure complete removal of the Butyl Acrylate. The process has since removed all the Butyl Acrylate from Steubenville’s raw river water intake, and the water is treated before distribution to residents. According to ORSANCO, this process can be used as a roadmap for other cities along the Ohio River.
ORSANCO recorded the highest level of Butyl Acrylate at Ohio River Mile Marker 39.6 (Lock Park 57), where Little Beaver Creek flows into Ohio, with a level of 12.5 parts per billion. However, the Minimal Risk Level (MRL) for Butyl Acrylate is 560 parts per billion, well above any detected levels in the Ohio River from the derailment.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has reached out to the White House for federal assistance and has requested the help of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Health and Emergency Response Team, and the CDC to provide on-the-ground assistance in East Palestine. The governor has also been in daily contact with FEMA to discuss the need for federal support, but FEMA has stated that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time. The governor plans to continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided.