Gov. Mike DeWine, along with state and federal authorities, held a news conference Wednesday afternoon stating that it is now safe for residents of East Palestine and the surrounding areas to return to their homes.
The announcement comes after nearby residents were evacuated following a train derailment that happened last week in East Palestine in Columbiana County near the Pennsylvania border.
"Air quality samples in the area of the wreckage and in nearby residential neighborhoods have consistently showed readings at points below safety screening levels for contaminants of concern," authorities said. Air testing has been conducted 24 hours per day from multiple instruments to ensure the most updated data is reviewed and analyzed.
But some East Palestine homeowners like Ted Murphy, who lives just 500 feet from the derailment site, were still not confident all is safe just yet.
“People are going to have a lot of questions, people are going to have a lot of questions, I’d like to know that it’s safe," said Murphy. “Are my clothes going to have that smell are they not going to have all the residue in it.”
Murphy told News 5 he would not sleep at his house on Feb. 8, he believes there are still too many unanswered questions as the clean-up continues.
“They’ve got a lot of something to prove to people in the right ways and on paper, and get somebody from the outside to match those numbers," said Murphy. “What is going to be in the atmosphere, what are we going to be breathing every day?”
Residents who are concerned about the air and water quality in their home can request a test by calling 234-542-6472.
Citizens affected by the train derailment who have questions about hotel reimbursement, water testing or air sampling are asked to contact Norfolk Southern's Family Assistance Center at 800-230-7049.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. EPA, Norfolk Southern Railroad and the East Palestine Fire Department were present during the news conference.
About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash on Feb. 3, according to rail operator Norfolk Southern and the National Transportation Safety Board. Vinyl chloride was slowly released into the air Monday from five of those cars before crews ignited it to get rid of the highly flammable, toxic chemicals in a controlled environment, creating a dark plume of smoke.
RELATED:
- Residents kept out as air checked near derailed Ohio train
- Toxic gases connected to Ohio train derailment cause concern
- East Palestine families want reassurance well water is safe to drink after train derailment
- East Palestine residents concerned for safety of their pets trapped in evacuation zone for days
- Crews perform controlled release at train derailment site; massive fireball, smoke plume rises from wreckage
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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