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By STEPHANIE ELVERD
EAST PALESTINE - As cleanup efforts and environmental remediation continue at the site of the February's Norfolk Southern train derailment and controlled burn of toxic chemicals spilled, so do the relief efforts for people who had their lives turned upside down by the disaster.
Relief has been pouring in from all over the country. The latest aid came from New York state as the nonprofit Soup Mama Official led a convoy of semi trucks loaded with supplies into Negley on Sunday.
The trucks' cargo includes non-perishable food items, water and air filtration devices, baby diapers, baby formula, pet supplies, personal hygiene products, cleaning supplies and were at the Negley Fire Department. Residents of East Palestine and the other surrounding communities of East Palestine, Negley, Darlington, Rogers, Enon Valley and New Waterford were welcomed.
"We could not do what we do without the support of many organizations and people who have contributed so much to make the people of East Palestine get what they need," said Soup Mama Official Public Relations Director Carolyn Collins. "The people of East Palestine have our prayers and continued support."
Soup Mama joined forces with fellow nonprofit Jezreel International - an Albany-based humanitarian aid organization that collects and ships supplies to poor and needy people around the globe - to make Sunday's supply distribution possible.
The distribution drew a constant line of vehicles filled with families seeking aid and lasted all day.
Relief efforts will continue on Tuesday as McDonald's restaurants in Northeast Ohio will donate 20 percent of all sales from 4 to 9 p.m. on Tuesday to The Brightside Project's East Palestine Crisis Relief Fund.
Residents impacted by the disaster are still encouraged to visit the EPA's Welcome Center located at 25 N. Market St. in East Palestine or the Norfolk Southern Family Assistance Center at the Abundant Life Church in New Waterford. The railroad also encourages the communityto visit nsmakingitright.com to learn more about resources available. Residents can request free private well testing by calling (330) 849-3919. The East Palestine Health Assessment Clinic, located at 20 W. Martin St., remains open and will be made permanent after a partnership with East City Liverpool Hospital was announced by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday. The clinic can be contacted (330) 424-0272.
In environmental monitoring news, the Environmental Protection Agency announced that it has reviewed preliminary data collected from soil sampling in East Palestine. While final results will be available in the coming weeks, EPA said its review of the preliminary data indicates levels of semi-volatile organic chemicals and dioxins in the samples are similar to typical background levels.
The EPA also reported that air monitoring continues at 23 locations around the village, over 600 indoor air testings have been conducted and that the Trace Atmospheric Gas Analyzer mobile laboratory known around the area as the TAGA bus will continue to monitor air quality. Aeration and testing of the local waterways also continues as does testing of the area drinking water supply.
Cleanup continues at the site with the EPA reporting that 8,442 tons of contaminated soil and nearly 8 million gallons of wastewater shipped have been removed from the site as of last week.
The EPA's response as well as the response of other agencies will be addressed Tuesday at the Environment, Manufacturing, and Critical Materials Subcommittee in Washington. Columbiana County Health Commissioner Wesley Vins is set to testify as is Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Anne Vogel and Debra Shore, EPA Region 5 administrator.
The hearing is the latest on Capitol Hill concerning the rail disaster. Last week, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee held a hearing that focused on legislation to improve railway safety.
Tuesday's hearing will take place at the Rayburn House Office Building and is set to begin at 10 a.m. The hearing will be open to the public and press and will be live streamed online at energycommerce.house.gov.