EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Officials continue to monitor the area where a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine on Feb. 3. 

Since the release of toxic chemicals inside some railcars on Feb. 6, residents have expressed concerns about their health, wildlife and other potential effects on the community. Gov. Mike DeWine updated Ohioans on Thursday on remediation efforts in the area, as cleanup continues. 

Officials began removing contaminated soil from the site Thursday under the direction of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Large dump trucks were brought in from Norfolk Southern for the soil, which will be taken to U.S. Ecology Wayne Disposal, which is a waste disposal facility in Michigan. While the effort may continue for some time, 4,832 cubic yards of soil has been taken from the ground, DeWine said. 

The process to dig up the tracks and get the soil underneath them hasn't begun yet, but DeWine said once it does, the soil will be taken immediately to a proper facility.

So far, 1,715,433 gallons of contaminated liquid have been removed — 1,133,933 gallons have been taken off site and most will be going to a hazard waste disposal facility in Texas. The contaminated liquid will need to travel 1,300 miles to the facility. Some of the waste is being taken to Vickery Environmental in Vickery, Ohio. 

Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz said most of the aquatic species killed because of the derailment had been 1- to 3-inch minnows, which are believed to have died within the first 24 hours after the incident. 

Officials deemed there is no longer a threat to minnows, fish or other species. ODNR also reported that live fish have returned to Leslie Run in East Palestine.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture said it received four animals from the area, three deceased birds and a deceased opposum. Staff at the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory are currently conducting procedures to see if they died from the derailment. So far, preliminary findings show no chemicals were involved in their deaths.

The Columbiana County Health Department said it has sampled 88 private wells from the area, but final testing results are pending. In the meantime, residents drinking water from a private well are encouraged to drink bottled water. Residents can request well testing by calling 330-849-3919.

Test results last week confirmed the city's municipal water had no contaminants associated with the derailment. However, out of caution, the Ohio EPA will independently test the water once per week. 

The U.S. EPA said it has done indoor air testing at 562 homes, and there were no contaminants from the derailment conducted. For those who would like air testing done in their homes, they can call 330-849-3919.

As for outdoor air monitoring, that is ongoing with 20 monitors in East Palestine. So far, the monitors haven't detected contaminants.

DeWine said the operation of the containment and aeration points continue, as well as Norfolk Southern's cleanup downstream of Sulphur Run.