Developments in East Palestine Train Derailment
A large plume stemming from the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio in early February. Photo: AP Newsroom / Gene. J. Puskar
On Feb. 3, 2023, a train carrying harmful compounds including vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. These compounds have been heavily linked to cancer and even death, and just days following the crash, residents have been complaining of nausea and headaches, despite adamant reports that the air and water are safe. By Feb. 21, 2023, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered the rail company Norfolk Southern to pay for all cleanup measures necessary, and be actively involved in identifying contaminated materials and participating in public meetings concerning the derailment. However, as of Feb. 25th, cleanup efforts have been redirected to the EPA to ensure the situation can be closely and accurately monitored.
Despite readings taken of the air and water that have found there to be no harmful levels of these compounds, residents and scientists are still concerned for multiple reasons. The instruments used are not very sensitive, making it likely there are still minimal traces of compounds that may still pose significant health threats to surrounding communities. The long-term effects and what are considered to be “safe” levels of contamination are also not well understood. A plume of leaked butyl acrylate that migrated to the Ohio river resulted in the death of at least 3,500 fish, despite testing showing the plume has diluted enough to prevent hazardous effects.
Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, protest slow government response to the train derailment. Photo: AP Newsroom / Matt Freed
On Monday, Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation, spoke in favor of raising rail regulations, following criticism of both Democratic and Republican ties to freight railroads many believe cede too much congressional power. His response also follows highly politicized efforts to blame the Biden administration for a slow response to the disaster, criticizing Biden’s pledge to send $500 million in military aid to Ukraine but failing to send FEMA financial aid despite East Palestine not qualifying. Former President Trump has also received criticism for the rollback of rail regulations during his administration, though Washington Post fact-checkers cannot find a connection between the rollbacks and the Ohio train derailment.
This past weekend after receiving criticism for a slow response, the Biden administration sent federal agencies door-to-door in neighborhoods in East Palestine to distribute information and conduct surveys on residents’ health. President Biden has also failed to visit East Palestine, sparking further criticism following former President Trump’s visit last week. Regardless of partisan politics, as response efforts transition from emergency to long-term there has been a general reported consensus that remediation efforts have not been substantial or timely enough.