East Palestine

Many questions still remain one year after the Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3, 2023.

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.

Our coverage of the anniversary is supported by the Fund for Investigative Journalism, with special thanks to Pete Carey, retired Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist with the Mercury News California, for his advice and guidance.

EPA Office of Inspector General to investigate agency’s response to East Palestine train derailment

Reid FrazierMarch 28, 2023

The inquiry will look at issues like hazardous waste disposal, air and water monitoring, soil and sediment sampling, and risk communication.

PollutionTransportation

Former EPA official calls agency’s response in East Palestine too weak

Reid FrazierMarch 24, 2023

Judith Enck says U.S. EPA is deferring too much to Ohio agencies, which don't have enough expertise and experience in dealing with chemical emergencies.

PollutionTransportationYour Environment Update

Questions about the testing and cleanup of streams after the train derailment

Julie GrantMarch 24, 2023

While officials say cleanup of the creeks in East Palestine will take time, some researchers say regulators aren't testing the water for enough chemicals.

ConservationPollutionWater

U.S. EPA coordinator says East Palestine cleanup is following ‘sound science’

Reid FrazierMarch 17, 2023

Mark Durno, EPA's onsite coordinator in East Palestine, says agencies and contractors are following sound science in the derailment cleanup.

PollutionTransportation

As interest in buying homes tumbles, East Palestine home owners feel stuck with no escape

Oliver MorrisonMarch 17, 2023

Many homeowners believe that, even if they wanted to move, no one would be willing to buy their homes because of fears of toxic chemicals.

News

The paradox of East Palestine: safe test results, while residents report health problems

Oliver MorrisonMarch 15, 2023

The Pa. House Policy Committee was in Darlington to hear from health officials, regulators, and residents impacted by the derailment.

HealthPollutionTransportation

Tamara and Nelson Freeze sitting at a kitchen table

After the derailment, many in East Palestine live with questions about dioxins

Reid FrazierMarch 10, 2023

EPA ordered Norfolk Southern to test for dioxins as residents' anxiety about their possible exposure to these toxic chemicals rises.

HealthPollutionTransportation

After workers report health problems, OSHA investigates Norfolk Southern for East Palestine cleanup site

Reid FrazierMarch 9, 2023

Workers brought in to clear and rebuild the tracks after the derailment are now complaining of health problems similar to those experienced by residents of East Palestine.

HealthPollutionTransportation

Norfolk Southern safety plan would add more ‘hotbox’ sensors to its tracks

Reid FrazierMarch 6, 2023

The company would add 200 more hotbox sensors that detect problems like the kind that derailed a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine.

Transportation

Norfolk Southern agrees to pay for East Palestine residents to relocate during cleanup

Oliver MorrisonMarch 6, 2023

One resident reported the company offered a prepaid debit card with $500 per week, while the remediation is expected to last about six weeks.

PollutionTransportation

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East Palestine

Many questions still remain one year after the Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3, 2023.

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.

EPA Office of Inspector General to investigate agency’s response to East Palestine train derailment

Former EPA official calls agency’s response in East Palestine too weak

Questions about the testing and cleanup of streams after the train derailment

U.S. EPA coordinator says East Palestine cleanup is following ‘sound science’

As interest in buying homes tumbles, East Palestine home owners feel stuck with no escape

The paradox of East Palestine: safe test results, while residents report health problems

After the derailment, many in East Palestine live with questions about dioxins

After workers report health problems, OSHA investigates Norfolk Southern for East Palestine cleanup site

Norfolk Southern safety plan would add more ‘hotbox’ sensors to its tracks

Norfolk Southern agrees to pay for East Palestine residents to relocate during cleanup

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