EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — The Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday that the air is safe to breathe and the water safe to drink in East Palestine, Ohio following a train derailment on Feb. 3 that led to a fire and a controlled release of toxic chemicals.
What You Need To Know
- EPA Administrator Michael Regan visited East Palestine on Thursday
- Regan tried to reassure residents that air and water were safe
- Senators JD Vance and Sherrod Brown were also there
- The derailment happened on Feb. 3
EPA officials at the federal and state levels were in the small community to get a first-hand look at the wreckage of the derailment and to visit with local leaders and those who live in East Palestine and have concerns about air, water and soil quality.
Officials said they've been monitoring the situation since the crash and so far, all tests are showing the area is safe for residents to return to their homes and resume their lives.
EPA leaders visited the community alongside elected officials. EPA Administrator Michael Regan said, “This incident has understandably shaken this community to its core.”
Regan said the East Palestine community deserves answers following the derailment, especially since the train was transporting toxic chemicals.
“I want the community to know we hear you, we see you and we will get to the bottom of this,” he said.
Regan addressed reporters at a press conference following a visit to the accident site with Senator Sherrod Brown. Both vowed to hold Norfolk Southern accountable.
“It’s up to Norfolk Southern to reimburse this community. To make this community whole,” Brown said.
Brown said he noticed an unusual odor when he visited the location of the derailment on Thursday, nearly two weeks after the initial fire and chemical burn. He said he understands why residents are skeptical about their safety.
“I’ll be satisfied when the people of East Palestine are satisfied. I don’t think they are yet. There’s a lack of trust. Of the EPA, of government. We know that,” he said.
The EPA said it's monitoring the air and so far, it hasn't detected any levels of concern to the community. Regan said tests on tap water showed it is also safe.
Republican senator JD Vance also visited East Palestine today. He said he plans to keep pressing the CDC for answers as to what exactly constitutes an acceptable level of exposure to these chemicals.
“I think that if the EPA administrator wants to stand here and tell people that the tap water is safe, by all means they should be willing to drink it,” Vance said.
He also said testing needs to continue.
“A lot of people, this is their home, they don’t want to leave it and they shouldn’t be expected to leave it. How do we make sure the schools are well funded, that the community continues to have the resources it needs in light of this disaster,” he said.
The EPA is encouraging anyone with concerns about returning home to have the agency perform tests at their residence.