AP Photo/Jean J. pushkar
In East Palestine, Ohio residents unsure if it’s safe to return to their homes after a train derailment in the area forced officials to “control the release” of vinyl chloride, a “colorless compound that is a human carcinogen and can be fatal if inhaled” into the air to avoid an explosion.
Panic feels amazing. Vinyl chlorine is again, “poisonous stuff.” The smoke plume from the release could be seen for miles; It changes the color of the sky, making the area look as if it has been enhanced by CGI. It also seems very plausible that the area has allegedly become hostile to other forms of life, with residents reporting their pets dying abnormally and dead fish floating in nearby rivers.
Still, local officials say it’s safe to return now. Federal and local officials told residents that the water is safe to drink and their air is clean. They note that expert reviews of air quality show nothing “threatening or alarming” in the air. (Of course, if they’re wrong, it won’t be Officials told the public for the first time It’s okay to drink water that’s really unsafe to drink.)
“I watched every press conference and I didn’t hear anything that made me think this was a data-driven decision,” said East Palestine resident Maura Todd. said The Washington Post, the guidelines stated that it was safe to return. “We don’t seem to have much information.” Other residents of eastern Palestine expressed similar feelings to the paper, saying the air still smells like chlorine and their eyes burn.
People like Todd in East Palestine probably feel that they haven’t been given much information because they haven’t been given much information. In addition to stating that carcinogenic vinyl chloride will be released into the air, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Transportation Safety Board have not released a complete list of chemicals that could be released in the accident.
Earlier in the week, Norfolk Southern—a company that does $9 billion in annual revenue; With a market capitalization of $55 billion, and liquid assets of $456 million—A $25,000 donation pledge to the local Red Cross with a promise to help. Another gift option? The company fought union efforts That advocates for safe working conditions Aim to avoid such derailments and pay sick leave. Legislation is still on the table to give much-needed rest to railway workers. Maybe consider pushing for that, too.