Ohio’s “Chernobyl” was entirely preventable—but now we have an environmental disaster
Ohio’s “Chernobyl” was entirely preventable—but now we have an environmental disaster
Despite officials’ insistence that Ohio and Pennsylvania residents are safe, the Norfolk Southern ecological disaster poses an immediate threat to nearby & downwind residents.
Ohio’s “Chernobyl” was entirely preventable—but now we have an environmental disaster
What happened in East Palestine?
Friday February 3, 2023
Around nine o’clock on the evening of Friday February 3, about fifty cars derailed on a train traveling through East Palestine, Ohio. The train, which was operated by Norfolk Southern Railway, was transporting hazardous materials from Madison, Illinois to Conway, Pennsylvania. The derailment ignited a massive blaze, which firefighters were unable to put out due to the hazardous chemicals that twenty of the train cars had been carrying. Five of the cars had been transporting thousands of gallons of vinyl chloride, a flammable, carcinogenic chemical that boils at just 7 degrees Fahrenheit.
Saturday February 4, 2023
On Saturday, the derailed train cars were still burning. An evacuation order was issued for everyone within a mile of the derailment site. The town of East Palestine was put under a shelter-in-place order.
In spite of the thick, black clouds of smoke emanating from the fire, a spokesperson from the Ohio EPA issued a statement saying that no harmful chemicals had been detected in the air as of Saturday evening.
Sunday February 5, 2023
On Sunday night, local authorities warned that the burning train cars meant there was “a high probability of a toxic gas release and or explosion.” Authorities ordered everyone within a mile to evacuate, and threatened to arrest anyone who remained in the area.
Monday February 6, 2023
On Monday February 6, officials expanded the evacuation zone to include parts of Pennsylvania. To reduce the risk of an explosion, Norfolk Southern Railway began a controlled release and burn of the materials. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine warned:
“[A]nyone who remains in the red affected area is facing grave danger of death. Anyone who remains in the yellow impacted area is at a high risk of severe injury, including skin burns and serious lung damage”
As state and local authorities issued warnings, massive black plumes of smoke poured from the fire.
Tuesday February 7, 2023
Ten miles away from the site of the train derailment, a woman in North Lima, Ohio found all of her chickens dead on Tuesday morning.
Wednesday February 8, 2023
But by Wednesday February 8th, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and other state, local, and federal officials announced that residents could safely return home.
While attempting to cover the governor’s press conference in Ohio, reporter Evan Lambert was handcuffed and arrested by police.
Despite officials’ insistence that Ohio and Pennsylvania residents are safe, the Norfolk Southern ecological disaster poses an immediate threat to residents.
People are experiencing health problems. Animals are dying. Local residents are sounding the alarm. We should listen.
The New Republic reported that residents in the area have been experiencing a variety of health issues, including burning and itchy eyes, sore throat, rash, and migraines. One woman, who lives 15 miles from East Palestine reported experiencing several concerning health issues, including finding blood in her stool. “I’m honestly really scared,” she told the reporter.
There have also been numerous reports of animals experiencing health issues and dying.
“Don’t tell me it’s safe. Something is going on if the fish are floating in the creek.”
"They only evacuated only 1 mile from that space, and that’s just insane to me," she said, coughing throughout the conversation. "I’m concerned with the long-term heath impact. It’s just a mess."
“That ain’t no fucking storm cloud. That’s the ****ing **** from East Palestine. Their ****ing controlled burn.”
What chemicals were on the trains? What are their known risks to human health?
Initial reports focused on the massive amount of vinyl chloride the derailed train was transporting.
Vinyl chloride is a known carcinogen. In addition to cancer, exposure to vinyl chloride can cause a range of other health issues, including nerve damage, liver changes, and alterations in immunity.
One chemist explained that the reports of dead animals in the area were unsurprising because burning vinyl chloride produces phosgene, which was “literally used as a chemical weapon in WWI.”
In addition to vinyl chloride, the derailed train was also transporting other hazardous materials.
A spreadsheet from the EPA includes a number of other chemicals that were in tankers on the derailed train.
Who is in danger? What steps should they take?
My recommendation is to evacuate anyone in 50 square miles of the site, as well as anyone downwind of the smoke plume.
The plume has been heading southeast toward Pittsburgh.
Ohio residents have reported a chemical smell in the air. If you can smell these chemicals, you are not safe.
Drinking water may also be contaminated. Officials have warned that local drinking wells may be at risk.
For people living downwind of the derailment: get activated carbon filters (not just HEPA) for your home!
Erin Brockovich, the environmental activist and legal clerk whose successful efforts to hold PG&E accountable for the groundwater contamination they caused in Hinckley, California were the subject of the Oscar-winning movie, Erin Brockovich, offered this advice on Twitter: “Trust your eyes, ears and nose and get the hell out of there if your senses are telling you to.”
Another key piece of advice for anyone in the affected area: Document. Everything.
When is it safe to return?
I would not return to Eastern Ohio or Western Pennsylvania until there has been extensive testing of air, water, and soil.
How could the Norfolk Southern ecological disaster have been prevented?
Norfolk Southern Railway successfully lobbied against a federal law requiring improved safety regulations for trains transporting hazardous materials. In 2017, the Trump administration rescinded regulatory provisions requiring train cars transporting hazardous, flammable materials to have Electronically Controlled Pneumatic (ECP) brakes, which are much more effective than conventional air brakes.
Rather than investing in technology to reduce the risk of derailments causing ecological disasters like the one in East Palestine, last year Norfolk Southern Railway chose to do a $10 billion stock buyback.
