EAST PALESTINE – For the second time in as many weeks, the Environmental Protection Agency will hold an informational session from 6 to 7 p.m. at First United Presbyterian Church to discuss results of air sampling with residents.

Last week, Mark Durno, EPA response coordinator, detailed the results of the Phase I soil testing and dioxin levels detected – reiterating his agency’s belief that the soil quality in and around East Palestine is safe. He encouraged residents to use their land as they had in the past, including planting gardens.

The EPA reports that most of the preliminary data from the Phase I soil sampling is in. The agency reports that “most of the results are within typical ranges for soil and there is no noticeable difference between shallow and deeper soils.” Samples taken on private properties are at or below screening levels, and only a few samples taken along public rights-of-way show higher levels of compounds. Next steps include notifying property and business owners, posting data on EPA’s website, and conducting statistical analysis.

Residents can learn more about air quality today during this week’s session. Topics will include the difference between air monitoring and sampling, information about the agency or entity conducting the

monitoring and sampling, where results can be found and what those results mean. Residents will also have the opportunity to learn more about the Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer (TAGA) bus and how TAGA routes are decided.

In other EPA updates, the agency reports that 459 private wells sampled, 148 areas sampled for soil analysis, 13.1 million estimated gallons of wastewater shipped offsite and 33,216 estimated tons of contaminated soil has been removed.

Last week, Norfolk Southern completed remediation and installation of the southbound tracks at the derailment site and those tracks are now being used for normal operations and traffic while cleanup and restoration work on the other set of tracks is conducted. Work on the northbound rails, which will include soil excavation, soil testing and the removing and replacing of the old tracks, is expected to take two months.