Health and Environmental Concerns Mount After Ohio Train Derailment

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio – A train carrying hazardous materials heading from Pennsylvania to Illinois derailed in early February, causing a major fire and alarm over a possible imminent explosion. The situation has locals worried, despite reassurances from officials after chemicals were released during the controlled burn of derailed train cars.

On February 3, about 50 cars of a Norfolk Southern train went off track near East Palestine, causing a days-long fire in the area. Ten of the 50 derailed cars contained hazardous chemicals, including butyl acrylate and vinyl chloride, which were among combustible liquids that authorities feared could set off a major explosion. No injuries or deaths were reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board said a malfunction of an axle caused the derailment. An investigation is still under way, according to The Guardian. 

About 2,000 residents living in the immediate area were asked to evacuate as a precaution, NPR reports. On Monday, February 6, crews conducted what officials called a “controlled release” of the hazardous chemicals, which caused a large plume of black smoke.

Evacuated residents, who were staying at shelters and schools, returned to their homes on February 8 as local officials insisted the air is safe to breathe and the water is safe to drink. But officials are still investigating the potential long-term environmental impacts of the derailment and there have been a growing number of reports of people experiencing a burning sensation in their eyes, animals falling ill and a strong odor lingering in the town.

The Environmental Protection Agency, which has been monitoring the air quality, said it has not detected “any levels of concern” in East Palestine as of Sunday, though the agency is continuing to monitor the air throughout East Palestine, including inside at least 210 homes.

According to the agency, the most concerning chemical being carried by the derailed train was vinyl chloride, which is used to make polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, a hard resin used in plastic products. Vinyl chloride is colorless and highly flammable. It has been linked to a rare form of liver cancer, as well as other types of cancer like leukemia and lung cancer. Short-term exposure effects include dizziness and drowsiness, while high exposure can lead to hospitalization and death. Another chemical on board was butyl acrylate, also used in plastic production.

The EPA later announced three additional chemicals were also released upon the derailment: ethylhexyl acrylate, isobutylene and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. Exposure to the chemicals can cause shortness of breath, burning in the skin and eyes, coughing, headaches and nausea, among other symptoms. In total, the EPA has reported five chemicals that were contained in rail cars that were “derailed, breached and/or on fire.

The harmful effects of these toxic chemicals largely depend on the concentration and exposure. Experts recommend residents wipe down surfaces, especially areas that collect dust, and wash items that absorb smells, such as bedsheets and curtains. Residents should also vacuum in short bursts to prevent contaminants from moving into the air.

Some residents and business owners in the area have filed lawsuits against Norfolk Southern in an effort to get the company to cover medical screenings for residents within a 30-mile radius of the derailment. The lawsuit claims the company “failed to exercise reasonable care to protect” local residents, who were “exposed to toxic substances, toxic fumes and carcinogens.”

If you or a loved one has been harmed by toxic chemical exposure due to the train derailment, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, or pain and suffering. The attorneys at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C., have the experience and expertise to handle your case and secure the maximum monetary reward you deserve. We have obtained more than $2.0 billion on behalf of our accident and injury clients, including a record-breaking $363 million jury verdict in a toxic exposure case. Contact our office today for a free, no-obligation case consultation.

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