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.

A decade after N.J. train derailment, questions linger over rail safety and public health

Zoë ReadApril 14, 2023

Residents in East Palestine, Ohio worry about the health impacts of vinyl chloride exposure. A similar accident occurred about 10 years ago in New Jersey.

HealthTransportation

East Palestine drama students persevere through catastrophic disruption

Oliver MorrisonApril 3, 2023

Many in East Palestine are trying to get back to their ordinary lives, as the cleanup of toxic waste continues. For students, that means putting on the school musical.

CultureHealthPollutionTransportation

U.S. Department of Justice sues Norfolk Southern, claiming Clean Water Act violations

Abigail BottarMarch 31, 2023

The DOJ claims the company unlawfully discharged pollutants and hazardous materials from the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

PollutionTransportationWater

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

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2024 Election

What Pennsylvania voters say about the environment

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