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  • How does EPA oversee cleanup at the derailment site?

    EPA leads the Unified Command consisting of different agencies to approve Norfolk Southern’s workplans and weekly activities. EPA also coordinates with other agencies to perform oversight, such as with Ohio EPA, the Columbiana County Health District, and the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. EPA and Ohio EPA personnel oversee safety…

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  • How do the different parts of particulate matter (PM) fit together?

    The various parts of PM in the NEI are related as follows. PM10-FIL > PM25-FIL because PM10-FIL includes PM25-FIL PM25-PRI = PM25-FIL + PM-CON This equation only applies at the process level. Because some sources only can report PM2.5 (due to test method differences), this equation does not apply to…

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  • How does PM2.5 relate to PM species such as EC, OC, SO4, NO3, PMFINE, and DIESEL-PM25?

    Primary PM2.5 estimates are speciated into the five PM species in the NEI: elemental (black) carbon (EC), organic carbon (OC), nitrate (NO3), sulfate (SO4), and the remainder of PM25-PRI (PMFINE). Diesel engine PM25-PRI and PM10 emissions are also labeled as DIESEL-PM25 and DIESEL-PM10 for mobile source diesel engines. For all…

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  • What are the health agencies doing?

    The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) are analyzing their Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey results to assess the health impacts of the train derailment. CDC and ATSDR continue to support the Ohio and Pennsylvania health departments and will be…

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  • Now that the track is rebuilt, what else needs to be done and how long will it take?

    There is still a lot of work to do. Contaminated soil to the north and south of the tracks need to be removed. A full site assessment, including extensive sampling, of areas and properties near the derailment site needs to be conducted. A full assessment of impacted creeks will be…

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  • If there is a government shutdown, will work continue on the cleanup?

    A 45-day continuing resolution was recently passed to avoid a shutdown. EPA’s emergency response efforts, such as in East Palestine, would move forward under a lapse in appropriation. As a result, EPA personnel would continue to fully support those efforts during a lapse.

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  • What is the process for refilling excavated areas at the derailment site?

    Areas that were excavated as part of the derailment cleanup effort will be backfilled with clean soil. Before soil is chosen as backfill it is tested for chemicals and heavy metals. While the source of backfill is still being identified, some areas have been temporarily backfilled with ballast (large gravel)…

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  • How do I register renewable gasoline?

    See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . Manufacturers/importers of renewable gasoline for on-road use are required to register the fuel with the EPA. To register, see: Register or Update a Fuel or Fuel Additive Request under 40 CFR Part 79 . Please indicate “renewable gasoline”…

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  • Where can I find the public list of registered fuels and fuel additives?

    See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . An online list of fuels and fuel additives registered with EPA is located here: Register or Update a Fuel or Fuel Additive Request under 40 CFR Part 79 .

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  • How do I register renewable diesel?

    See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . Manufacturers/importers of renewable diesel for on-road use are required to register the fuel with the EPA. To register, see Register or Update a Fuel or Fuel Additive Request under 40 CFR Part 79 . Please indicate “renewable diesel”…

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  • How do federal and state agencies get notified of a chemical or oil spill requiring an emergency response?

    By law, companies or individuals who spill hazardous chemicals or oil are required to call the National Response Center (NRC) if the quantity is above reporting limits. The NRC then notifies federal, state and local responders. Most States have additional reporting requirements that are separate from the NRC.

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  • When do I get an EPA assigned fuel ID/additive ID?

    See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . You will receive your assigned ID after registering your fuel and/or fuel additive with EPA.

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  • What is included in the emissions “Tiers”?

    The Tiers are assigned by a Source Classification Code (SCC), which has the most detail about the emissions processes that generate the emissions. The full list of SCCs, their associated Tiers, and the SCC descriptions is available online at https://ofmpub.epa.gov/sccwebservices/sccsearch/ .

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  • Interested in voicing your opinions and concerns related to the derailment?

    A team of engineering and public affairs researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago, Cleveland State University, and Purdue University are conducting a study to understand community members’ experiences and perceptions related to water, home, and environmental impacts after the East Palestine train derailment. If you’d like to participate, sign-up…

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  • Which fuels require registration?

    See More Frequent Questions about Fuels Registration, Reporting, and Compliance Help . Under Part 79, manufacturers and importers of gasoline and diesel fuels for use in a motor vehicle or additives for such gasoline or diesel fuel are required to register them with the EPA prior to sale.

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