EAST PALESTINE Norfolk Southern says it is approaching the end of its cleanup and restoration work at the site of the February 2024 train derailment and chemical spill, according to a recent company update.

In a July 31 update, the railroad reported that site restoration is "largely complete," and the remaining minor work is expected to be finished in the coming weeks. Particulate air monitoring continues in areas of active operations but will be reduced as work concludes.

Norfolk Southern said it has also completed mitigation activities in Sulphur Run, a creek impacted by the derailment. A final stream assessment is scheduled for the coming weeks to evaluate if the work plan goals have been met. The company submitted data from a March and April 2025 stream reassessment to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

According to Norfolk Southern, no human health risks related to the derailment were identified in surface water in two previous assessments in 2024. The company has also restored natural water flows to Sulphur Run.

Ongoing monitoring of surface water, groundwater, sediments, and drinking water is continuing on a defined schedule. Norfolk Southern states that the results from this monitoring show the community's air and drinking water are safe.