The EPA temporarily halted the out-of-state shipments and rerouted them to certified facilities in Ohio as fallout from the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment continues as other states raise concerns.
Norfolk Southern, the rail company being held responsible for cleaning up the leak of toxic chemicals at the derailment site, was expecting to ship about two-million gallons of contaminated firefighting water to a facility in Harris County, Texas, and solid waste materials to a facility in Belleville, Michigan.
The operations were apparently being carried out without officials in both the states being notified until the Environmental Protection Agency stepped in last week.
"I know there are folks in other states who have concerns, legitimate concerns, about how this waste is being transported and how it will be disposed of. EPA will continue to work with our local, state and federal partners to use our longstanding experience and expertise in these matters to ensure the health and safety, and support the East Palestine community and to hold Norfolk Southern accountable," Debra Shore, an EPA regional administrator, said at a press conference.
In East Palestine, residents are still concerned about contaminants that have leaked into the soil and air. This week, additional wells will be drilled under the crash site to assess groundwater contamination, according to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine.
The beginning of the year is critical for those in need of blood transfusions as people tend to stop donating during the holidays. The winter in general also experiences a dropoff as donors get sick more frequently.
President Joe Biden is set to tour damage and be briefed on recovery efforts after devastating storms hit California in recent weeks, killing at least 20 people and causing destruction across 41 of the state's 58 counties.
The federal government says it will begin a targeted crackdown on nursing homes’ abuse of antipsychotic drugs and misdiagnoses of schizophrenia in patients.
Pallbearers in La Verkin, Utah, carry a casket at a funeral for victims of Michael Haight, who killed his wife, their five children, and his mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself. The funeral was held on Jan. 4, 2023. (Rick Egan/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP)
