Residents in and around East Palestine fear their well water and water sources are contaminated with cancer-causing chemicals.
According to a news report published on NBCNews.com, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources reported that the East Palestine train chemical spill had killed more than 3,500 fish along 7½ miles of streams and rivers since last Wednesday’s accident.
A resident from North Lima, which is over 10 miles away from the East Palestine accident, stated that her five hens and rooster suddenly died suddenly following Norfolk Southern’s burning of train cars transporting vinyl chloride. Other residents who live close to the site of the disastrous train derailment fear that they and their animals were exposed to cancer-causing chemicals through air, soil, and water contamination.
One victim, a 39-year-old wedding photographer, stated that she had had a persistent cough since the incident. Like other residents, she has been consuming bottled water and is not comfortable bathing in her home’s tap water. She and other residents are worried about the long-term health consequences.
Ohio officials stated on Wednesday that local area residents are able to return to their homes now that air quality sample readings were at levels below the safety screening levels for those contaminants. The EPA stated that air quality testing did not detect any chemical levels of concern. However, the EPA reported on Friday in a letter to Norfolk Southern that some of the hazardous chemicals are continuing to be released into the air, soils, and waters.
The EPA does classify vinyl chloride as a known human carcinogen, and routine exposure increases a person’s risk of liver cancer or liver damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, short-term, high-concentration exposure to these chemicals leads to illnesses and symptoms such as drowsiness, disorientation, loss of coordination, headache, nausea, burning, or tingling.
East Palestine City Council has organized an emergency meeting to respond to their constituents’ concerns about the chemical release.
A professor from Purdue University’s environmental and ecological engineering stated that burning the chemicals created additional compounds that the EPA might not be testing. Those other chemicals cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, and skin irritation. They may also cause severe health consequences, such as cancer.
The most significant concern is the water table, private water wells, and the Ohio River. The Columbiana County Health District has begun testing groundwater with the state EPA, the state Health Department, and Norfolk Southern contractors. Those results have not come back at the time of this article. Local officials also started a Facebook page to help residents keep in touch regarding their concerns.
CONTACT PARKER WAICHMAN LLP FOR A FREE CASE REVIEW
Parker Waichman LLP helps families recover compensation for harm caused by man-made 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)
