On February 3rd, a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, and the resulting chemical burn has led to a series of animal deaths and human health concerns.
The train contained vinyl chloride, which is used to create a popular plastic and is highly flammable and toxic. Worried about the potential for an explosion and deadly shrapnel, officials conducted a “controlled release” of the chemicals and burned them, sending a toxic cloud of black smoke into the air.
Days after the crash, animals began dying at alarming rates in East Palestine and the surrounding areas. AAmanda Breshears in North Lima, 11 miles away from the village of East Palestine, found her five hens and rooster dead in their enclosure with no sign of a predator entering.
“My video camera footage shows my chickens were perfectly fine before they started this burn, and as soon as they started the burn, my chickens slowed down and they died,” Breshears said. “If it can do this to chickens in one night, imagine what it’s going to do to us in 20 years.”
Other locals reported seeing streams full of dead fish, and one fox rescue group reported four of their animals exhibiting signs of chemical exposure, with one dying before it could receive treatment.
Animals are not the only ones being affected by this horrific accident. Chelsea Simpson, who lives near the site of the derailment, told The New Republic that she has had a sore throat since the burn, and her 8-month-old baby has suffered respiratory issues that are being treated with a steroid. Simpson also said that her eyes were bloodshot and burning after visiting her home for just 10 minutes. She has not returned since.
The Environmental Protection Agency is monitoring air quality and has indicated there is no reason for concern, but Ohio residents are worried about the long-term health effects of the burn.
The EPA has conducted re-entry air screenings of 291 homes in the area and no detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride were identified. However, there are still 181 homes in the area that have yet to be screened.
It remains unclear whether the burn will have long-term effects on the environment or residents of the region, and residents are concerned over the limited information released so far.
The Ohio Governor’s office and East Palestine village council have not yet responded to requests for comment.
The water is safe to drink but everything in it is suddenly dead pic.twitter.com/98G29t3ihM
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