Ohio Train Derailment

Latest news on the Ohio train derailment of 3 February 2023, when a freight train carrying hazardous materials derailed along the Norfolk Southern Railway in East Palestine, Ohio. 

Emergency crews conducted a controlled burn of the spill at the request of state officials, which released dangerous chemicals into the air. Residents within a 1-mile radius were evacuated, and an emergency response from agencies across three states was initiated. The derailed train was not equipped with electronically controlled pneumatic brakes, which could have mitigated the severity of the accident. Nearly 70 emergency agencies from Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania mobilized in response. The evacuation was lifted on 9th February after the US Environmental Protection Agency reported that the air and drinking water had returned to normal levels. A town hall meeting was held on 15th February between residents and local, state, and federal officials. The train derailment reignited a national discussion about industry working conditions and safety concerns.

The chemical spill from the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 3,500 small fish across 7.5 miles of streams and several captive foxes at Parker Dairy became sick. Material from the crash was found in storm drains and detected in samples from multiple waterways. The burning of vinyl chloride caused concerns about the potential production of dioxins, which are persistent and could have long-term environmental impacts. Neil Donahue, a chemistry professor at Carnegie Mellon University, expressed concern about the potential production of dioxins during the burning of vinyl chloride. Lynn Goldman, dean of the Milken Institute School of Public Health, worried about residual vinyl chloride, which could also have long-term environmental impacts.