50 of around 140 wagons on a freight train operated by the Norfolk Southern operator derailed on the night of February 4th. Twenty of the cars contained chemicals, five of which contained the toxic substance vinyl chloride. Several of the tankers caught fire. To prevent an explosion, authorities decided to vent and burn the vinyl chloride. The region was evacuated within a radius of 1.6 kilometers. Video footage showed huge plumes of black smoke rising into the air.
“Four 7.5 miles of watercourses are contaminated,” Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz said. “We estimated about 3,500 dead fish in this area, in these streams, tributaries and waterways, based on our sampling and modeling,” said Mertz. None of the 12 affected species are endangered or threatened, but it is still a loss to wildlife.
Lengthy investigations
A mechanical problem with a wagon axle is suspected to be the cause of the derailment. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said it has video footage that appears to show a wheel bearing overheating just before the derailment. The NTSB expects its preliminary report in about two weeks. It will take longer for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to take stock: Although an initial report on the accident should be available in four to six weeks, a final investigation could only take about two years.
Norfolk Southern this week announced it would set up a $1 million fund to support the community of approximately 4,700 people. At the same time, clean-up efforts will continue, removing chemicals from the soil and streams and monitoring air quality.
In addition, the number of residents who can be reimbursed for evacuation costs will be expanded to include the entire village and its surroundings. “We will be judged by our actions,” said Alan Shaw, President and CEO of Norfolk Southern. At the moment, the verdict is extremely unfavorable.
Anger at railway operators
An information evening was held in East Palestine on Wednesday, at which the concerned population had the opportunity to exchange ideas with representatives of the local authorities, the state and the federal government. The big absentee of the evening was Norfolk Southern – the company canceled shortly before the event due to concerns for the safety of its employees.
USA: Population after train accident in concern
After the train accident, in which several wagons of a freight train derailed and some caught fire, there is great uncertainty among the population of the village of East Palestine in the US state of Ohio. The city administration tried to calm people down and answer open questions by means of a specially convened citizens’ forum. However, the full extent and consequences of the accident cannot yet be foreseen. At the beginning of February, 50 of the 140 freight train wagons derailed and some caught fire. Ten of the wagons were loaded with dangerous goods, including five with carcinogenic vinyl chloride.
Local resident Chris Wallace, who is still unable to return to his home near a creek, told the BBC that many citizens have long been concerned about the speed of trains running through East Palestine and the potential dangers worried by exhausted staff. “They should be here to answer questions,” he said. “You have a lot to hide. They don’t want us to know anything.” Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost told Norfolk Southern this week that his agency is considering legal action.
All clear is given no credence
The authorities have given the all-clear. 456 houses were examined for chemical residues. Nothing was found. According to the authorities, no critical residues were discovered in the air or water either. But the residents don’t believe it: pictures of farm animals and pets that have died have been circulating on social networks. In addition, people complain of a pungent odor.
The vinyl chloride burned in the train accident can trigger a range of symptoms when inhaled – from headaches, blurred vision and insomnia to numbness in the hands and feet and cardiac arrhythmias. It is also carcinogenic and can have harmful effects on humans, animals or plants if it gets into water. In fact, residents of East Palestine have reportedly complained of everything from headaches to numbness to bloody stools.
Toxic Mixture
However, a number of chemicals escaped during the accident and consequently found their way into the air and the surrounding area. According to Spektrum.de, the environmental authority EPA published a list of other substances that, according to their investigations, were transported in the wagons: 2-butoxyethanol, ethylhexyl acrylate and isobutene. Ethylhexyl acrylate irritates eyes and skin and causes coughing, isobutene causes dizziness and drowsiness. A fire as big as this also releases numerous substances. It is therefore not possible to draw conclusions about a specific chemical from individual symptoms.
