### Purdue-Led Study Uncovers Ongoing Chemical Contamination in East Palestine, Ohio, After 2023 Norfolk Southern Train Derailment
**Introduction**
A detailed investigation spearheaded by Purdue University researchers, under the direction of environmental engineer Dr. Andrew Whelton, has revealed persistent chemical pollution in East Palestine, Ohio, several months following the Norfolk Southern train derailment on February 2023. The diverse research underscores both the inadequate official response to the incident and the ongoing risk to the local community from hazardous substances. This inquiry sharply contradicts prior government assurances that it was safe for residents to return shortly after the emergency.
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**The Incident: A Major Chemical Spill**
On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train transporting a mixture of hazardous industrial chemicals derailed near the small community of East Palestine, which has around 4,700 inhabitants. The derailment resulted in the release of various dangerous materials into the environment; some ignited, causing unintentional and intentional fires that further disseminated toxic substances into surrounding regions. A one-mile evacuation zone was established soon after, impacting 1,500–2,000 residents.
However, by February 8, 2023, officials rescinded the evacuation order, announcing to the public that the area was again safe for habitation. In spite of these assurances, many community members began experiencing various health issues, such as headaches, nausea, respiratory problems, and dizziness. This sparked increasing unrest among residents and heightened concerns regarding the actual extent of the disaster’s health and environmental effects.
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**The Purdue University Research: An In-Depth Look at the Fallout**
In response to growing public concern and deteriorating health conditions, the Purdue University research team initiated an independent study three weeks post-derailment. Their main goal was to investigate the persistent presence of toxic chemicals in East Palestine and its surrounding areas, identify possible human exposure routes, and evaluate the effectiveness of the official response.
The team assessed various sample sites, including waterways, structures, and commercial products. They utilized advanced chemical analysis methodologies such as Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP–OES). Furthermore, they replicated simpler, generic tests like total petroleum hydrocarbon screenings employed by official responders to validate results and compare them to authority-commissioned analyses.
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**An Intense Odor and Ongoing Chemical Contamination**
During one of their initial assessments, the Purdue researchers discovered a commercial property in East Palestine emitting a strong, acrid chemical odor. Notably, previous air monitoring tests conducted by local officials with photoionization detectors (PIDs) had deemed the indoor air quality acceptable. However, the odor was so overwhelming that the Purdue researchers and an official contractor could not remain in the building for more than ten minutes.
The property owner, doubtful of the official conclusion after noticing soot and fumes indoors, commissioned independent air quality evaluations, which confirmed the detection of several volatile organic compounds (VOCs), including butyl acrylate, linked to the derailment.
In their assessment, the Purdue team tested silicone wristbands provided by the business owner. Silicone effectively absorbs VOCs and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs). Their testing revealed contamination, including butyl acrylate, consistent with the findings of the property owner’s independent analysis.
Despite this new evidence, officials took ten months to recognize that the handheld PIDs lacked the capability to identify dangerous levels of butyl acrylate. Remarkably, the unpleasant odor remained in the commercial building even four and a half months after the disaster, indicating that contamination — and exposure — persisted far longer than initially estimated.
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**Discrepancies in Official Records and Overlooked Contaminants**
The thorough analysis by the Purdue team of government-released data revealed discrepancies that the official response had neglected. Most significantly, the research indicated that not all chemicals released during the incident were captured in the air and water quality evaluations. For instance, while an authority-led examination detected ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate (2-butoxyethyl acetate), this substance had not been listed among the chemicals released by the derailed train — casting doubt on transparency and accountability.
Even more alarming was the exclusion of 2-butoxyethanol, a known hazardous chemical, despite official records indicating that over 25,000 gallons were released during the incident. Researchers from Purdue suspect that regulatory confusion due to similarly named compounds led to critical communication failures. The authors of the study contend that government agencies did not exercise due diligence and enforce quality control, potentially creating gaps in safety assessments.
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**Significant Impact of Water and Uncontrolled Pollutant Exposure**
The investigation also affirmed that water significantly contributed to the transport of chemicals throughout the region following the derailment. Residents living near contaminated waterways faced heightened exposure to