Current:Home > FinanceHow the EPA assesses health risks after the Ohio train derailment-LoTradeCoin
How the EPA assesses health risks after the Ohio train derailment
View Date:2024-12-23 20:47:25
This week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will hold a public hearing about its remediation plan for cleaning up chemicals in and around East Palestine, Ohio. It follows the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals like vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate near the town earlier this month.
Residents were temporarily evacuated from the area two days later to allow for a controlled burn of the chemicals. EPA health officials have been monitoring the air and water in the area and testing for chemicals as part of their ongoing human health risk assessment.
We wanted to know: What goes into an assessment like that? And how does the EPA know if people are safe — now and long-term?
To walk us through that assessment, we talked to Karen Dannemiller, an associate professor of environmental health science at The Ohio State University.
A multi-step approach
The EPA human health risk assessment is ongoing and unfolds in four steps.
- Hazard Identification - First, the EPA has to identify what chemicals were onboard the train and released into the area, and determine which pose a risk to the community and the environment.
- Dose-Response Assessment - The EPA looks at what the effects of each hazardous chemical are at each level of exposure in the area.
- Exposure Assessment - Once the above steps are done, the agency will examine what is known about exposures — frequency, timing and the various levels of contact that occur.
- Risk Characterization - Here, the EPA essentially pieces together the whole picture. They compare the estimated exposure level for the chemicals with data on the expected effects for people in the community and the environment. They also describe the risks, which shape the safety guidelines.
Throughout the coming days and months, there will be much uncertainty. Assessments are ongoing, data takes time to collect and process, and results and clean-up take time.
For Dannemiller, both working towards understanding these risks and acknowledging the uncertainties that exist throughout this process is essential. That transparency and accountability is what will help the community heal.
Further resources and information
- Read EPA updates on the Ohio derailment
- Read the EPA's proposed remediation plan
- Phone number for free, private water testing: 330-849-3919
Listen to Short Wave on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google Podcasts.
You can always reach us by emailing [email protected].
This episode was produced by Margaret Cirino, edited by Rebecca Ramirez and fact-checked by Anil Oza. Hans Copeland was the audio engineer.
veryGood! (81)
Related
- J.Crew Outlet Quietly Drops Their Black Friday Deals - Save Up to 70% off Everything, Styles Start at $12
- What to know about the blowout on a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet and why most of the planes are grounded
- For consumers shopping for an EV, new rules mean fewer models qualify for a tax credit
- When are the Emmy Awards? What to know about the host, 2024 nominees and predicted winners
- Why Game of Thrones' Maisie Williams May Be Rejoining the George R.R. Martin Universe
- Michigan Wolverines return home to screaming fans after victory over Washington Huskies
- Adan Canto, 'Designated Survivor' and 'X-Men' star, dies at 42 after cancer battle
- Researchers find a massive number of plastic particles in bottled water
- Taylor Swift Becomes Auntie Tay In Sweet Photo With Fellow Chiefs WAG Chariah Gordon's Daughter
- James Kottak, Scorpions and Kingdom Come drummer, dies at 61: 'Rock 'n' roll forever'
Ranking
- Joel Embiid injury, suspension update: When is 76ers star's NBA season debut?
- Kate Middleton's Pre-Royal Style Resurfaces on TikTok: From Glitzy Halter Tops to Short Dresses
- Kremlin foe Navalny, smiling and joking, appears in court via video link from an Arctic prison
- What to know about the blowout on a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet and why most of the planes are grounded
- Lions QB Jared Goff, despite 5 interceptions, dared to become cold-blooded
- This Avengers Alum Is Joining The White Lotus Season 3
- USDA estimates 21 million kids will get summer food benefits through new program in 2024
- Hundreds of UK postal workers wrongly accused of fraud will have their convictions overturned
Recommendation
-
Caitlin Clark has one goal for her LPGA pro-am debut: Don't hit anyone with a golf ball
-
What to know about the blowout on a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet and why most of the planes are grounded
-
What does 'highkey' mean? Get to know the Gen-Z lingo and how to use it.
-
Joey Fatone, AJ McLean promise joint tour will show 'magic of *NSYNC, Backstreet Boys'
-
Jason Kelce collaborates with Stevie Nicks for Christmas duet: Hear the song
-
Maryland lawmakers to wrestle with budgeting, public safety, housing as session opens
-
'Baywatch' star Nicole Eggert reveals breast cancer diagnosis: 'Something I have to beat'
-
An Oregon judge enters the final order striking down a voter-approved gun control law