Utilities in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky shut Ohio River water intake valves early Sunday morning over concerns about contamination by hazardous materials from a train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

The two utilities, Greater Cincinnati Water Works (GCWW) and Northern Kentucky Water District (NKWD), said they are taking precautions as testing found at least low levels of chemicals from the toxic spill in some places at intakes along the waterway amid reports of fish dying en masse in local waterways and East Palestine residents reporting ailments such as headaches and rashes.

After the Norfolk Southern freight train derailment on February 3, crews executed what authorities said was a controlled burn of hazardous chemicals from cars that were in danger of exploding, prompting temporary evacuations and a large plume of smoke over the small town on the Pennsylvania border.

“Emergency responders were able to quickly respond and contain most of the chemicals,” NKWD said in a press release. NKWD said one of the chemicals, butyl acrylate, “was detected at low levels in the Ohio River far upstream of our water supply intakes.”

Butyl acrylate “is a clear liquid with a sweet odor used in arts and crafts, adhesives, flooring, sinks, bathtubs, to name just a few of the uses of the chemical,” NKWD said.

GCWW said low levels of butyl acrylate were believed to have “seeped” into the Ohio River through a small creek about 300 miles north of Cincinnati.

By Sunday afternoon, GCWW reported “2-Ethyl-1-hexanol was detected. This compound is commonly used in industrial applications including for flavorings and fragrances.”

BREAKING: Greater Cincinnati Water Works is keeping its intake CLOSED after reportedly detecting a compound upstream.

“2-Ethyl-1-hexanol was detected. This compound is commonly used in industrial applications including for flavorings and fragrances.”

FULL RELEASE⬇️ @WLWT pic.twitter.com/b0U3Qqu2sA

— Danielle Dindak (@danielledindak) February 19, 2023

NKWD and GCWW, each of which reportedly serve hundreds of thousands of customers, said they will continue testing in coordination with the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission and assured the public they have treatment processes in place. The utilities said they will rely on reserves until regulators are certain water from the Ohio River is safe.

Norfolk Southern says it is working with local, state, and federal leaders and the community affected by the derailment in East Palestine. That hasn’t stopped a number of lawsuits to accumulate as outrage grows, spurred in part by videos of showing an oily sheen from chemicals in local waterways.

Visited a local creek in East Palestine today. These waterways are still very polluted. It’s time for Norfolk Southern to finish the cleanup. Check this video out: pic.twitter.com/4lsHBmrMJj

— J.D. Vance (@JDVance1) February 16, 2023

After the fire went out on February 8, the Environment Protection Agency said on Tuesday its air monitoring had “not detected any levels of health concern in the community that are attributed to the train derailment.”

Ohio Republican Governor Mike DeWine’s office said Friday testing results from East Palestine’s municipal water source determined that municipal drinking water is safe to drink, but urged locals who get their water from private wells to use bottled water until their water is tested.

Also on Friday, DeWine released a joint statement with Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Regional Administrator Thomas Sivak, announcing FEMA aid would be on the way after the Biden administration indicated the train derailment did not qualify for federal disaster aid.

“FEMA and the State of Ohio have been in constant contact regarding emergency operations in East Palestine,” the joint statement said. “U.S. EPA and Ohio EPA have been working together since day one. Tomorrow, FEMA will supplement federal efforts by deploying a Senior Response Official along with a Regional Incident Management Assistance Team (IMAT) to support ongoing operations, including incident coordination and ongoing assessments of potential long-term recovery needs.”

Actor and comedian Richard Belzer, famous for playing Detective John Munch on “Law & Order: SVU,” died early Sunday at his home in France.

Belzer’s friend Bill Scheft gave a statement to The Hollywood Reporter, saying, “He had lots of health issues, and his last words were, ‘F*** you, motherf***er.'”

The iconic character who made Belzer a household name, Detective Munch, first appeared on NBC’s “Homicide” — but when that series was canceled, the actor told his manager to reach out to “Law & Order” series creator Dick Wolf.

“I remembered that Benjamin Bratt was leaving ‘Law & Order,’ and so I called my manager and said, ‘Call Dick Wolf — maybe Munch can become [Det. Lennie] Briscoe’s partner’ — because we had teamed for the crossover. So he called and Dick said, ‘What a great idea, but I’ve already cast Jesse Martin to be the new guy [opposite Jerry Orbach],'” Belzer recalled for the 2009 book “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Unofficial Companion.”

But Wolf had another project in mind, and fictional detective made the move from Baltimore on “Homicide” to New York City for “SVU.”

When asked during a 2008 interview whether he minded the fact that he had essentially been typecast — playing not just they same type of character but the same exact character across several different shows, he replied, “I never asked anyone to be on their show. So it’s doubly flattering to me to see me depicted in a script and that I’m so recognizable and lovable as the sarcastic detective and smart-ass. Much to my delight, because he is a great character for me to play, it’s fun for me. So I’m not upset about being typecast at all.”

Belzer made quite the impression on a number of his friends and colleagues, who responded on Sunday to the news that he had passed.

“Richard Belzer was one of the most kindest and welcoming actors when I guested on two episodes of Law and Order: SVU. His passing is truly a loss for Hollywood and I will miss him dearly. RIP Richard Belzer,” actress Marlee Matlin tweeted.

Richard Belzer was one of the most kindest and welcoming actors when I guested on two episodes of Law and Order: SVU. His passing is truly a loss for Hollywood and I will miss him dearly. RIP Richard Belzer. pic.twitter.com/oI4PzLr04I

— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) February 19, 2023

Longtime costar Mariska Hargitay — who played the role of Detective Olivia Benson — shared her thoughts via Instagram, saying, “Goodbye my dear, dear friend. I will miss you, your unique light, and your singular take on this strange world. I feel blessed to have known you and adored you and worked with you, side by side, for so many years. How lucky the angels are to have you. I love you so very much, now and forever.”

Fellow “SVU” star Chris Meloni shared a photo.

Good bye mon ami. I love you.#TheBelz pic.twitter.com/CPJIyNDxYk

— Chris Meloni (@Chris_Meloni) February 19, 2023

“Richard Belzer was always so kind to me. We met at comedy club he was performing in yrs before L&O. I was young with only one film into my career. He always remembered me,” actor Vincent D’Onofrio added. “I had the pleasure of hang’n with him a couple of times. Sweet sweet man & funny as hell. He will be missed.”