Superfund Research Program
May 2025
Scientists at the NIEHS-funded Louisiana State University (LSU) Superfund Research Program (SRP) Center found high levels of several hazardous pollutants in soil at the site of the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Compared to a site 10 miles away, the team documented increased furan and dioxin levels and 10 times more environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) at the derailment site.
Building on previous LSU SRP research, their findings provide further evidence that concentrations of EPFRs are correlated with levels of specific congeners, like dioxins and furans. According to the authors, their data corroborates previous reports that EPFRs are precursors to dioxins and furans, and high levels of contaminants suggest the derailment site may require further monitoring.
Learn more about their study in the NIEHS Environmental Factor.