CMU, Texas A&M conduct independent air testing at East Palestine train derailment site
Scientists from Carnegie Mellon University and Texas A&M collected air samples from East Palestine, Ohio, last week. They said their results were similar to those of the EPA in that no immediate threats were found, but they believe further testing is needed.
According to a Tweet by Texas A&M, some of their findings show levels for benzene and vinyl chloride were below minimal risk levels.
(1/3) Mobile air sampling/data analysis by @CAPS_CMU & @tamusuperfund agrees with @EPA data (2/8-22/2023) for Benzene Toluene Xylenes & Vinyl Chloride. All values below #ATSDR minimal risk levels for Intermediate (15d-1yr) exposures, and no “hot spots” detected by mobile sampling pic.twitter.com/KviB8sdPgq
— Texas A&M Superfund Research Center (@tamusuperfund) March 3, 2023
However, sampling shows wide-ranging levels of acrolein — as much as three times as much as what’s in the air in downtown Pittsburgh.
Acrolein is a chemical compound used to kill bacteria that can irritate people’s eyes, skin and nasal passages.
Meantime, during a town hall meeting last night in East Palestine, the EPA talked about plans to remove the railroad tracks and excavate the contaminated soil underneath.
“The sooner they dig it up the sooner they can get it out of town,” said Debra Shore, EPA Region 5 administrator. “This is going to be a complicated, big project, but work could begin as soon as tomorrow if EPA and the unified command approve.”
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