Pennsylvania will work with Ohio to start testing tissue from animals that might have been affected by environmental fallout from last month’s Norfolk Southern train derailment, Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding told lawmakers Tuesday.
Mr. Redding’s remarks came during legislative hearings about the Pennsylvania state budget, during which Dr. Debra Bogen, the acting health secretary, said her agency is also exploring its role in monitoring the long-term health of residents following the catastrophe.
“The survey that we have been doing showed that people for sure had a lot of symptoms, particularly right after the train derailment,” Ms. Bogen said
Their appearances before lawmakers came as federal officials continue their investigation of the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, just west of the Pennsylvania border. It led to fires and a decision three days later — which authorities said was prompted by concerns that derailed cars carrying toxic chemicals might explode — to release vinyl chloride from several train cars and burn it.
A group of more than 100 organizations in Ohio, Pennsylvania and across the country sent a letter earlier this month to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, asking that the EPA, not railway company Norfolk Southern, do environmental testing in the affected region. The organizations also urged that testing be expanded beyond soil to include farm animals, wildlife and waterways.
Mr. Redding, answering questions from the state Senate Appropriations Committee, said plans are being made for tissue sampling of animals, to be conducted in conjunction with Ohio as well as Ohio State and Penn State universities.
One important consideration, Mr. Redding said, is that tissue sampling be done at a federally inspected facility. He did not give a precise timeline for that to start
In response to another question, Mr. Redding said his agency told the train company it should compensate farmers for lost income because people were afraid of buying meat from animals in the area. His agency has told farmers who lost revenue to visit nsmakingitright.com, a website set up by Norfolk Southern for its post-derailment community support efforts
“It is a real loss. It is a tangible loss of income,” Mr. Redding. “Making it right means covering those costs that can be documented.”
Ms. Bogen, who testified at a separate hearing before the House Appropriations Committee, was asked how her department would be involved in monitoring long-term public health after the incident.
“There needs to be a long conversation about what the future looks like,” she said. “There are lots of options.”
Categories: Pennsylvania, Government & Policy