When Jessica Albright returned with her family to their home in East Palestine, Ohio, last month after four months away, she opened the car door and took a deep breath — then stopped and thought: Maybe not too deep. Hauling suitcases up the steps, she tried to discern whether the acrid scent in the air had lessened. The mother of three could not be certain — of the smell, of its effects or of the correct next steps for her family. Now, they were back, not because their health issues had resolved, or because the house had been proven free of contaminants. They were back because they had $41 left in their savings account and felt they had no other choice.

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Persons: Jessica Albright, Albright, Chris Organizations: Environmental Protection Agency, ” Schools Locations: East Palestine , Ohio, Pennsylvania, East Palestine, Ohio