East Palestine

On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

The Allegheny Front has been covering this disaster since it first happened, along with our partners at 90.5 WESA in Pittsburgh and Ideastream Public Media in Cleveland.

Find our series examining the public health response and lingering questions about health and environmental contamination HERE.

New lawsuit makes first wrongful death claims from toxic Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine

Julie GrantFebruary 4, 2025

A group of 744 East Palestine area residents are also suing the CDC and EPA for negligence and response failures.

East PalestineHealthTransportation

A Norfolk Southern locomotive crossing over a street

Norfolk Southern rail bridges in western Pennsylvania in disrepair, study warns

Inside Climate NewsFebruary 3, 2025

The company dismissed the findings of a new report on 20 rail bridges in the Pittsburgh area. The company's train derailed two years ago in East Palestine, Ohio.

East PalestineTransportation

2 years after train derailment in East Palestine, some residents worry about liver disease

Julie GrantJanuary 30, 2025

Researchers are tracking some residents who became sick from contamination from the derailment and chemical releases for long-term health impacts like liver disease.

East PalestineHealthTransportation

Three people unload blue coolers from a van

New studies shed light on the contamination and response to East Palestine derailment

Julie GrantOctober 23, 2024

Four university studies funded by the National Science Foundation find new chemicals, and call for better environmental testing and communication after last year’s Norfolk Southern train derailment.

East PalestinePollutionWaterYour Environment Update

BASF's "ethane cracker" facility in Port Arthur, Texas. An ethane cracker is a petrochemical plant that manufactures the building blocks of plastics. Photo: BASF

New guidelines center the needs of people with disabilities during petrochemical disasters

Kara HolsoppleOctober 2, 2024

In light of the East Palestine train derailment, advocates created guidelines for disabled people, municiplaities and industry in case of emergency.

Climate ChangeEnergyHealthYour Environment Update

Bhopal survivors bring message about chemical exposures to Western Pa., East Palestine

Reid FrazierSeptember 27, 2024

Bhopal survivors address residents exposed to toxic chemicals from the East Palestine derailment and Shell's ethane cracker.

East PalestineHealthPollution

People standing on the sidewalk, one holding a sign that says "Let the Truth Out."

Judge approves $600 million settlement for Ohio derailment but not everyone is satisfied

Julie GrantSeptember 27, 2024

A federal judge approved the settlement between residents and Norfolk Southern for the damage caused by its train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

East PalestinePollution

A woman in a blue shirt standing in a school auditorium talking with three women

5 takeaways from the NTSB investigation of Ohio train derailment

Julie GrantJune 27, 2024

The National Transportation Safety Board approved the findings of its investigation into a train derailment in East Palestine that released toxic chemicals into the community.

East PalestineTransportationYour Environment Update

NTSB set to vote on investigation of Ohio train derailment

Julie GrantJune 21, 2024

On Tuesday, the National Transportation Safety Board will vote on the findings of its investigation. The decision to ‘vent and burn’ vinyl chloride is among the issues.

East PalestineTransportation

EPA, Norfolk Southern reach $310 million settlement for East Palestine derailment

Reid FrazierMay 24, 2024

It includes $235 million for EPA’s past and future expenses for the cleanup of toxic chemicals, with only $15 million assessed as a civil penalty.

East PalestinePollutionTransportation

Full Episodes

Episode for February 21, 2025

Episode for February 14, 2025

Episode for February 7, 2025

2024 Election

What Pennsylvania voters say about the environment

Longtime environmental official on Pennsylvania election results: People will need to be ‘as tenacious as the industry’

What can we expect from a Trump administration? Our reporters weigh in.