According to an online news report published on farmanddairy.com, local farmers are concerned about the toxic pollution that has been released from the East Palestine train derailment. Some farmers and citizens have voiced their concern over their pets, livestock, and wild animals becoming ill and dying due to the ongoing chemical release from the smoldering train wreckage. Many citizens feel the situation is continuing to worsen, and some homeowners near the accident are afraid to return to their homes for fear of being exposed to toxic and potentially cancer-causing chemicals.
A news story on wkbn.com, states that three more toxic chemicals have been discovered at the scene of the East Palestine train derailment. According to one hazardous materials specialist, the responding government agencies “basically nuked a town with chemicals so we could get a railroad open.” The news report stated that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency mailed a letter to Norfolk Southern reporting that ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and isobutylene chemicals were discovered in some of the rail cars that derailed, caught on fire, or breached.
According to the hazardous materials specialist in the news report, ethylhexyl acrylate is particularly disturbing since it is a known carcinogen. Moreover, the hazardous materials specialist stated that he was shocked that residents in the area were told they could return to their homes, especially since the homes near the accident scene should be tested for levels of dangerous chemicals to make sure they are safe since some of these toxic chemicals may be present in homes and on objects until they are cleaned thoroughly. The hazardous materials specialist stated that 5 to 20 years from now, there could be cancer clusters popping up throughout the community. He recommends that residents in the area get a health check-up so it is on record where their health stands now so they are able to document any future health effects that may be related to this chemical train derailment.
About ten train cars carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in a fiery train derailment on February 3, 2023, in East Palestine, Ohio. East Palestine is a city with a population of around 5,000 residents. The residents were urged to evacuate their homes due to a possible explosion and because there was a danger of toxic chemical release. About 70 fire departments responded to the scene. The National Transportation Safety Board stated that five train cars were transporting vinyl chloride. However, it has been discovered that there were cars containing butyl acrylate, benzene residue, ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, isobutylene chemicals, and other combustible liquids.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced that emergency crews would release toxic chemicals by performing a controlled release of the vinyl chloride. A Norfolk Southern official stated that this would prevent at least five rail cars from exploding unexpectedly and throwing deadly shrapnel into the air. The Norfolk Southern Railway spokesperson stated that there was no way to control where the chemicals would go after the release. Moreover, the responders would burn off the chemicals before those toxic chemicals could be released into the air. This plan was decided to be the best option. However, officials warned that burning off of the chemicals would release dangerous levels of phosgene and hydrogen chloride into the air. Those chemicals cause severe and life-threatening respiratory issues.
If you have been injured or severely financially harmed by the East Palestine train derailment chemical release, you may be entitled to recover monetary compensation. Parker Waichman LLP is a national plaintiff’s law firm who is offering a free consultation to victims of the East Palestine train derailment.
CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
Parker Waichman LLP helps families recover compensation for harm caused by disasters. For your free consultation, contact our law firm today by using our live chat or calling 1-800-YOUR-LAWYER (1-800-968-7529).
.svg){kind=small}
.avif)
.avif)
