Pennsylvania DEP: No signs of groundwater contamination in first independent sampling of private wells within 1-mile radius of derailment

Pennsylvania's Department of Environmental Resources says there are "no signs of groundwater contamination" in its first results from independent water sampling in Pennsylvania within a one-mile radius of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.Watch the report from Beaver County in the video above.The first of the preliminary results show "no contaminants of concern" were found in results from water sample tests of seven private wells in Beaver County. The three contaminants specifically being checked for in testing are vinyl chloride, ethanol and glycol that were on the train cars."I think that's kind of what the information told us we were going to find. Definitely positive results. I think it would be a good baseline and do a little testing going forward, kind of tell the story of how things go," Mike Carreon, chair of the Darlington Township board of supervisors, told Pittsburgh's Action News 4.One place Beaver County residents who want to sign up for soil and water testing can put in their request is Pennsylvania's health resources center set up behind the Darlington Township municipal building. The state says it's helped over 460 people there since the center opened 10 days ago. Staffers from the state Department of Health, the state DEP and other agencies are at the center to answer questions and hear people's concerns.Dave Price, a Darlington resident who's requesting tests on his well, visited the center Friday afternoon. "Just trying to find out some information about getting my well tested. They've already done the one-mile radius. They're working to the two-mile radius. I'm in a three-mile radius," Price told Pittsburgh's Action News 4. "At this time, there's nothing. But going through the ground, it takes time to filter through. And I may be three miles from the wreck, but I don't know which way the water flows."The DEP says that, as of Friday, it has sampled five Pennsylvania surface water bodies within a one-mile radius and started collecting soil samples from properties in a two-mile radius. No results from those surface water and soil tests have been released yet. The DEP says short- and long-term impacts are not expected on lakes, rivers, or streams.The soil samples were taken in four areas where there reports of soot, ash, or other materials deposited from the derailment hazardous materials fire. The DEP says the results from testing those soil samples will be used to help inform farmers about any possible risks ahead of the coming planting season.The state has extended through next Thursday its health resource center hours in Darlington Township. It says it will continue independent testing of private wells for at least six months and up to a year.Acting DEP Secretary Rich Negrin said in a written statement, "Today's negative results are an encouraging sign for Pennsylvania residents. DEP will continue collecting samples over the next several months and the commonwealth will continue to lead the way so that Pennsylvanians are aware of and protected from any threats to their safety and resources that may arise."