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Derailment and Spill Cleanup Continues, Slowly, in Paulsboro, N.J.

By Mike DeNardo

PAULSBORO, N.J. (CBS) -- Ten days after the bridge collapse and chemical leak (see related stories), the cleanup continues in Paulsboro, NJ.

In audio provided by the US Coast Guard, crews could be heard working to clear collapsed bridge pilings and debris that will allow the remaining tankers in the Mantua Creek to be offloaded and removed.

The Coast Guard isn't giving a timetable for that.  But speaking this morning before a ceremony at the Battleship New Jersey in Camden, US Rep. Rob Andrews (D-NJ) said he's keeping a close eye on the cleanup (see previous story).

"There are four tankers that everyone believes have not been damaged, that are not leaking, that do have vinyl chloride in them," he said.  "I'm not resting until they are gone."

No vinyl chloride has been detected in the air since last Thursday, and all but 30 evacuees have been allowed to return home.

Paulsboro public schools are reopening tomorrow (Tuesday), while officials try to devise a way to make up more than a week of class days lost.

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