EPA requires Norfolk Southern to sample for dioxins in East Palestine

The U.S. EPA announced that it will require Norfolk Southern to test directly for dioxins as part of the agency’s response efforts.

If dioxins are found at a level that poses any unacceptable risk to human health and the environment, EPA will direct the immediate cleanup of the area as needed. In addition, EPA will require Norfolk Southern to conduct a background study to compare any dioxin levels around East Palestine to dioxin levels in other areas not impacted by the train derailment.

Following EPA’s order holding Norfolk Southern accountable, EPA will oversee all potential cleanup efforts. EPA will also continue sampling for indicator chemicals, which EPA says, based on test results to date, suggest a low probability for release of dioxin from the incident.

“In response to concerns shared with me by residents, EPA will require Norfolk Southern to sample directly for dioxins under the agency’s oversight and direct the company to conduct immediate clean up if contaminants from the derailment are found at levels that jeopardize people’s health,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan.

Dioxins can contaminate drinking water from air emissions, soil contamination, and surface water contamination. Dioxins are highly toxic and can cause severe health problems.

EPA’s approach to addressing community concerns for dioxins has focused on sampling and analysis for “indicator chemicals” such as chlorobenzenes and chlorophenols that would suggest the potential for the release of dioxins attributable to the derailment.

EPA is currently analyzing for 19 chlorobenzene and chlorophenol compounds in the area of East Palestine. As of Feb. 28, EPA has collected at least 115 samples in the potentially impacted area, which include samples of air, soils, surface water, and sediments.

To date, EPA says that its monitoring for indicator chemicals has suggested a low probability for release of dioxin from the incident. EPA’s air has detected only low levels of 1,4-dichlorobenzene typical of ambient background concentrations.

EPA says that it will continue to sample for indicator chemicals and will also require Norfolk Southern to begin sampling directly for dioxins. If dioxins are found in the area including East Palestine, EPA will share the information with the public, determine whether the level of contaminants found poses any unacceptable risk to human health and the environment, and direct the immediate cleanup of the area in coordination with Ohio EPA, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and other partners.

EPA is also currently reviewing a draft plan by Norfolk Southern to develop a dioxin “fingerprint” for soil sampling. EPA anticipates that developing a dioxin fingerprint for East Palestine will require use of certified laboratories that can perform high-resolution gas chromatography and mass spectrometry to identify various isomers of dioxins.

If this dioxin fingerprint can be developed with reliable methodologies, it will help EPA determine whether any dioxin particularly from the train derailment and controlled burn impacted the local environment.