No evidence of chemical toxicity in deaths of raccoons, muskrat in East Palestine

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - A month has passed since the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine and concerns over its effects on wildlife persist.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) continues to monitor the deaths of animals in the area.
ODNR estimates that more than 38,000 minnows ranging in size from one to three inches were killed in the initial spill.
Another 5,500 aquatic animals, including fish, crayfish, amphibians and macroinvertebrates, were killed as a result of the derailment.
Outside of aquatic animals, 11 dead animals have been submitted to the Ohio Department of Agriculture's Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory for necropsies.
According to the American College of Veterinary Pathologists, a necropsy is an examination of an animal after death with the purpose of determining the cause of death or extent of disease.
Final necropsy results on a beef calf, three birds and an opossum show no evidence of chemical toxicity as a cause of death.
Preliminary results in the deaths of four raccoons, a muskrat and a snapping turtle also show no evidence of chemical toxicity as a cause.