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.

Smoke cloud from burning vinyl chloride.

NTSB hearing casts doubt on decision to vent and burn derailed Norfolk Southern train

Abigail BottarJune 23, 2023

The owner of the vinyl chloride in the railcars and an outside expert testified that the catastrophic explosion emergency responders feared was not likely.

Transportation

The public praises NTSB at a meeting ahead of hearings in East Palestine

Julie GrantJune 22, 2023

The NTSB held a public meeting ahead of two days of hearings on the train derailment and the decision to burn vinyl chloride.

TransportationYour Environment Update

EPA assures farmers that it’s safe to grow food near East Palestine train derailment

Julie GrantJune 16, 2023

The agency says the results of extensive testing for chemicals reveal nothing worrying for farmers or consumers.

Food and AgricultureHealthPollutionYour Environment Update

Dr. Arthur Chang in a church, speaking to a crowd

Officials don’t know what the long-term health impacts will be from the East Palestine derailment

Julie GrantJune 7, 2023

Residents told to see their doctors. "We may not know how to get rid of vinyl chloride from the body, but we know how to treat those cancers.”

HealthPollution

Three students stand under a tree on the school grounds

These high school students are grappling with living in the shadow of chemical pollution

Reid FrazierJune 2, 2023

Living near Shell's ethane cracker and East Palestine, one student came to a realization: "I was like, ‘Oh, wait a minute, stuff is actually serious.'"

HealthPollutionThe Coming Chemical BoomYour Environment Update

Kendall Crawford in a floral dress standing on a porch with her daughter

Three months after the East Palestine derailment, deep anxiety lingers

The Ohio NewsroomMay 16, 2023

East Palestine residents still grapple with physical and psychological impacts in the wake of the traumatic event.

HealthNewsPollutionTransportation

Three people in yellow reflective coats in a farm field.

EPA says soil in East Palestine looks ‘really good,’ but some see a disconnect with their health

Julie GrantApril 28, 2023

Soil samples showed no contamination from the train derailment. But some residents say their own tests show vinyl chloride in their bodies.

HealthPollution

derailed train cars along tracks near Mon River with Downtown Pittsburgh in background

Derailments could pose a major risk to southwestern Pa.’s rivers, Pitt researchers say

Jillian ForstadtApril 25, 2023

Derailed trains pose a potential risk to the region’s aquatic habitats and drinking water, as well as to communities already facing environmental inequality.

PollutionTransportationWater

Homes along a street with a smokestack in the background

Incinerated waste from East Palestine raises concerns in Ohio town

Reid FrazierApril 21, 2023

An incinerator with a history of compliance problems in East Liverpool is accepting waste from the train derailment site, worrying some residents.

HealthPollutionTransportation

A train passes through East Palestine, Ohio,

Could new rail safety rules prevent the next East Palestine? More sensors could be key, experts say

Abigail BottarApril 14, 2023

Congress is considering legislation that would address the use of sensors along the rails that can notify train operators of trouble.

Transportation

Full Episodes

Episode for April 25, 2025

Episode for April 18, 2025

Episode for April 11, 2025

Trump on Earth

Pa. farmers among hundreds impacted by Trump admin’s gutting of climate-friendly grants

Trump grants exemptions from mercury rules for coal-fired power plants, including several in Pennsylvania

Trump moves to quickly slash federal regulations, target state and corporate climate efforts