A Toxic Chemical Leak in Rural Ohio Leaves Residents Reeling
On February 3, 2023, a freight train carrying multiple toxic chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. The crash resulted in a fire that produced an enormous black cloud of smoke that billowed over the town of East Palestine. Approximately 20 of the railcars were carrying dangerous chemicals, which were released into the air, soil and surface waters in the surrounding area.
Nearly half of the small town’s population was issued an emergency evacuation as a result of the incident. Government authorities authorized a controlled release and burning of chemicals in five of the railcars in an effort to curb negative environmental and health impacts. Residents were told they could return to their homes on February 8, only five days after the derailment occurred.
While the EPA maintains that contaminant levels have since been reduced to safe levels, many residents have reported health concerns such as nausea, headache and a burning sensation in their eyes. The chemical leak has also had a negative impact on the surrounding environment, as residents continue to report an alarming rise in the death of both wildlife and pets.
One of the most concerning chemicals released in the derailment is vinyl chloride, a highly toxic and flammable gas that is known to cause life-threatening conditions including lung cancer, liver cancer and leukemia. Government officials performed a controlled burn of the vinyl chloride that remained after the fire was extinguished. This also poses a major concern, as vinyl chloride produces phosgene and hydrogen chloride when it is burned.
Phosgene is an incredibly poisonous gas that was used as a choking agent alongside mustard gas in World War I. Hydrogen chloride is a highly irritating and corrosive gas that can cause pulmonary complications and even death. Alarmingly, the CDC is not testing for phosgene or hydrogen chloride, nor are they testing for any other chemicals that could have been made through the burning of toxic materials.
In addition to the immediate health concerns related to the derailment, residents and officials alike have expressed alarm at the prospect of water contamination. An unknown amount of toxic material has made its way into the Ohio River via runoff and groundwater leaching.
This has already had negative effects on the local ecosystem, as at least 3,500 fish have died in the weeks since the chemical spill. The Ohio River is connected to rivers and water basins of approximately 14 states in every region of the continental United States, and the spill may threaten the drinking water of over five million people.
Dubbed by local residents as a “mini Chernobyl,” the long-term effects of the chemical spill are currently unknown, but large toxic airborne events such as this often result in complex environmental issues which threaten both humans and wildlife long after the emergency has been dealt with.
Multiple lawsuits have since been filed against Norfolk Southern, the transportation company responsible for the derailed train. The government has also come under fire from many for its inadequate and delayed response to the disaster.
The entire ordeal reflects an alarming trend within the modern era, as the lack of restrictions on major corporations across the world has resulted in countless instances of environmental degradation. Whether it be a chemical or oil spill, coal ash leaching or the exorbitant overuse of greenhouse gases, these corporations continue to make enormous profits and are rarely held accountable for the health and environmental complications they cause.
This is especially the case in low-income countries that lack comprehensive environmental and labor regulations. Holding these companies accountable for their actions and lobbying for the implementation of detailed regulatory measures is critical for diminishing catastrophic events such as that unfolding in East Palestine, Ohio. Be sure to check out the links below to learn how you can help those affected by the disaster.
https://donorbox.org/east-palestine-crisis-relief
http://www.thewaystationinc.org/get-involved.html
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/22TPM3WFF09CW/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex
https://www.gofundme.com/f/relief-for-east-palestine-after-train-derailment