2,000 of East Palestine’s barely 5,000 inhabitants were forced to evacuate their homes when the train loaded with, among other things, dangerous chemicals derailed in early February. Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine said at a press conference on Friday that tests done did not show dangerous levels of chemicals in the city’s water system or in the air.
– We continue to monitor the air and water. Today we have tested the air in 500 homes. So far we have had no results for contamination. The air is clean, the water is clean,” said Mike DeWine (R).
People with private wells are still being asked not to drink the water until they have confirmed that their water is clean.
Carcinogenic substances
11 of the derailed wagons contained toxic substances. In five of them, the carcinogenic substance vinyl chloride, which is used in the production of many plastic products used in healthcare, was transported. Due to the risk of a very large explosion, those responsible chose to release vinyl chloride into a ditch next to where the chemical was burned. The dark cloud was visible many miles away and even from the air.
In recent weeks, testimonies have come in about several children who have started to have nosebleeds, people who have developed rashes and a smell of chemicals that stings both the throat and the nose. Testimonies of chickens, foxes and other animals that died after the train accident have not been confirmed by authorities, however, around 3,500 fish are said to have died in the stream that runs through East Palestine, due to contaminated water.
The authorities have admitted that the water was contaminated near the site of the train accident, tested the water quality, but they state that they have isolated the contaminated water and are passing clean water instead.
The train company Norfolk Southern has donated around 250,000 kroner to East Palestine and offered residents 10,000 kroner to cover the wounds of the accident. But many citizens state that it has been difficult to get an answer from the company.