Aftermath of Ohio train derailment
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EAST PALESTINE, Ohio (WDEF) — On February 3, about 50 train cars derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The train was carrying toxic chemicals, which were released into the air.
The Norfolk Southern Railroad train was traveling from Illinois to Pennsylvania.
Vinyl chloride was purposely released from five cars on February 6. Officials said the reason was fear of an explosion. It caught fire and created a large plume of smoke.
According to the CDC, vinyl chloride is shipped as a liquefied compressed gas. The CDC website revealed that the chemical can cause many symptoms, including abdominal pain, gastrointestinal bleeding and even cancers. These include liver cancers, brain and lung cancers, lymphoma and leukemia, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The EPA has a complete list of the chemicals being transported.
According to affiliate station WVLT, “At the time of the release, officials warned that the burn would send phosgene and hydrogen chloride into the air. Phosgene being a toxic gas that can cause vomiting and breathing trouble that was used as a weapon in World War I.”
WDEF affiliates said that some residents are reporting their animals becoming sick or dying. However, this has not been confirmed.
CBS 19 reported that about 3,500 fish died following the derailment, as of February 8.
Anyone within a one-mile radius was told to evacuate the area. Officials are now saying that residents can return home.
Pete Buttigieg, the U.S. Transportation Secretary, recently commented on the derailment.
He said, “I continue to be concerned about the impacts of the Feb 3 train derailment near East Palestine, OH, and the effects on families in the ten days since their lives were upended through no fault of their own.”
He also said that various agencies, including USDOT and EPA, are monitoring the area. “EPA has screened 291 homes and no detections were identified – and 181 homes remain,” Buttigieg said.
In addition, TVA spokesperson Jim Hopson said it is not possible for the chemicals to reach the Tennessee Valley.
