I believe the tests, however, ...

February 15, 2023
By Emily Sanderson

Columbus. Ohio - 

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said water test results (click here) show municipal water in East Palestine is safe to drink following a train derailment and chemical spill.

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency received results from their water sampling of the five wells that feed into East Palestine's municipal water system.

The results show no detection of contaminants associated with the derailment.

East Palestine, Ohio water is from wells. It is highly unlikely underground wells were contaminated at the time of the incident. However, chemicals can leach into a water supply over time. The USA EPA will have guidelines to the frequency of testing necessary to continue to reassure residents the water is free of contaminants.

It is also advisable for all Americans to review their water quality and test at least annually. In the case of East Palestine, Ohio the water should be tested regularly until there is at least a year's worth of data that indicates the wells are completely safe.

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (click here)

Many counties across the country provide free water testing simply by asking so water at the tap can be reassuring. These tests are not a comprehensive test with all the potential contaminants listed with the federal regulations. Comprehensive tests such as this are done privately through a laboratory. In order to have more comprehensive water testing, the local legislature can pass ordinances for that purpose.

February 17, 2023

Cincinnati, Ohio - Greater Cincinnati Water Works (click here) officials are continuing to monitor the chemical contaminants traveling down the Ohio River following the train derailment in East Palestine.

Water works officials said out of an abundance of caution, they will be shutting off the Ohio River intake ahead of the anticipated arrival of the last detectable chemical concentration in the river.

While the water intake is shut off, GCWW will temporarily switch to water reserves, officials said.

This cautious approach by the City of Cincinnati is exactly correct. As the contamination moves in the Ohio River toward Cincinnati the contaminants are becoming more diluted by entering a larger body of water. Testing to follow the plume of contamination is the correct approach in understanding what is happening with the river.

Cincinnati is a large city and if they were forced to use bottled water there would be a problem with a sufficient supply. The city has water reserves that are not connected to the river and are considered safe. If the contaminants are not coming in touch with reserve water there is no reason to be alarmed.

Here again the city of Cincinnati will have to maintain water testing after returning to the use of the Ohio River. Be mindful of the idea that the contaminants are heavy and can fall through any surface waters to the sediment. The US Army Corps test most rivers on a five year basis and have historic information regarding water quality and sediment testing. If there is any doubt regarding the bottom of the Ohio River there are methods to test it.

Just briefly, the contaminants in the Ohio water. 

Butyl acrylate appears as a clear colorless liquid with a sharp characteristic odor. Very slightly soluble in water and somewhat less dense than water. Hence forms surface slick on water.

11.1.2Hazard Classes and Categories (click here) Page down to health and fire hazards.

Vinyl chloride is regulated in drinking water, food, and air. Because it is a hazardous substance, regulations on its disposal, packaging, and other forms of handling also exist. EPA requires that the amount of vinyl chloride in drinking water not exceed 0.002 milligrams per liter (mg/L) of water (0.002 ppm).

Public Health Statement (click here)

Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (click here)

NJ Health has a better comprehensive data sheet (click here)

The fourth chemical listed in the spill into a creek that is a tributary to the Ohio river is stated as ethylhexyl acrylate, but, the correct name is 2-ethylhexyl acrylate.

This is the chemical structure of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. If the chemical structure of the listed chemical is different than the listing of ethylhexyl acrylate may be correct. It is not normally found in that formulation.

Critical evaluation (click here) of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate dermal carcinogenicity studies using contemporary criteria 

2-Ethylhexyl acrylate (Compound) (click here)

Also interesting:

Acrylates/Ethylhexyl Acrylate Copolymer (click here) is a copolymer of ethylhexyl acrylate and one or moremonomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or one of their simple esters....

...Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern....

The environmental concerns along the path of these contaminants are going to include fish and wildlife that drink the water. The conservation groups along this path need to take any inventory of disturbed wildlife, including fish, tadpoles and frogs.