On Friday, February 3, 2023, a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. While trying a controlled burn [1], hazardous chemicals were spewed into the air, causing death to animals and illnesses to people.
What Happened
Around 9 p.m. on Feb. 3, a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, a city about 50 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The Norfolk Southern train had been carrying chemicals and combustible materials for the manufacture of plastics and paints. The primary concern of investigators is vinyl chloride, a toxic flammable gas. As a result of the derailment, a huge fire erupted, sending thick billowing smoke into the sky. Residents on both sides of the Ohio-Pennsylvania border were ordered to evacuate. There were 150 cars on the route from Madison, Ill., to Conway, Pa. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is investigating, said on Feb. 14 that 38 cars derailed, and a fire ensued, which damaged another 12 cars. However, other sources claim that authorities feared an explosion, so they performed a controlled release of the toxic materials from five train car tankers on Feb. 6. The contents of which were diverted to a trench and burned off. When the fire started, residents in both states were ordered to evacuate.
Effects
Animals are falling sick or dying near the train derailment. Taylor Holzer, the owner of a farm just outside the evacuation zone near the fire, remarked that several animals that he keeps on his property became ill. Some developed a range of symptoms, including liquid diarrhea and puffy faces.
One woman, a North Lima resident, claimed some of her chickens died in recent days.
There were also claims of thousands of fish dying in waterways in or near East Palestine [2]. A local environmental official confirmed fish die-offs in reports last week.
Residents are concerned about long-term effects of breathing the poison. What will happen in a year, two years, ten?
The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) has been testing the air and waterways. While most residents are allowed back into their homes, drinking the water is not recommended. The agency is monitoring the animals’ deaths.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine told reporters that if he lived in East Palestine,
I’d be drinking the bottled water … I’d be alert and aware… but I think I’d be back in my home [3].
Sil Caggiano, a hazardous materials specialist, said that vinyl chloride—used to manufacture PVC—and ethylhexyl acrylate were on the train. These substances are not only carcinogenic, but they can cause burning and irritation in the skin and eyes, coughing, and shortness of breath. He went on to say,
I was surprised when they quickly told the people they can go back home [4].
Meanwhile, states along the Ohio River are monitoring the river for hazardous substances.
Notes:
- ^https://www.theepochtimes.com/animals-falling-sick-dying-near-hellish-ohio-train-derailment-site-locals-claim_5053559.html?utm_source=News&src_src=News&utm_campaign=breaking-2023-02-13-2&src_cmp=breaking-2023-02-13-2&utm_medium=email&est=0xNFntQoez2eAGloCJk2PxX1IEDbwPn27vLKngMLptK%2BCuSrPBah4Cp996AIzx5HHbyp (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.theepochtimes.com/officials-say-plume-of-chemicals-in-ohio-river-moving-downstream-after-train-derailment_5057980.html?utm_source=Morningbrief&src_src=Morningbrief&utm_campaign=mb-2023-02-15&src_cmp=mb-2023-02-15&utm_medium=email&est=0NDYqHBX8bMwldyWayx%2Fe6dD82LSu12s4JP%2BgEnQQr4XUPdc4F5TP63CV0i278z6w5FP (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.theepochtimes.com/officials-say-plume-of-chemicals-in-ohio-river-moving-downstream-after-train-derailment_5057980.html?utm_source=Morningbrief&src_src=Morningbrief&utm_campaign=mb-2023-02-15&src_cmp=mb-2023-02-15&utm_medium=email&est=0NDYqHBX8bMwldyWayx%2Fe6dD82LSu12s4JP%2BgEnQQr4XUPdc4F5TP63CV0i278z6w5FP (go back ↩)
- ^https://www.theepochtimes.com/animals-falling-sick-dying-near-hellish-ohio-train-derailment-site-locals-claim_5053559.html?utm_source=News&src_src=News&utm_campaign=breaking-2023-02-13-2&src_cmp=breaking-2023-02-13-2&utm_medium=email&est=0xNFntQoez2eAGloCJk2PxX1IEDbwPn27vLKngMLptK%2BCuSrPBah4Cp996AIzx5HHbyp (go back ↩)
