A 150-car freight train carrying hazardous chemicals and other material derailed in the town of East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3, About 20 cars were carrying several toxic chemicals including vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate and isobutylene causing a large blaze.
The train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, a town of about 5,000 residents along the Ohio and Pennsylvania border. A huge fire that spanned the length of the derailed cars erupted. No injuries or deaths were reported.
However, Evacuated residents, who were staying at shelters and schools, were given the clear to return to their homes on Wednesday 8 February as officials deemed air and water samples safe for residents.
Despite reassurances from officials that the area’s air and water quality is safe, residents in the vicinity of the derailment have reported multiple health symptoms, including nausea and burning sensation in their eyes.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine said on Tuesday, “he was “not seeing” the need for further federal assistance, though President Biden had offered it.”
The environmental advocacy group Earthjustice said Wednesday that DeWine should declare a state of emergency to unlock more federal aid. Some residents have filed class-action lawsuits against Norfolk Southern, seeking monetary compensation and medical monitoring for all affected.
