As reports of strange objects in the sky dominate the headlines, another potential danger in the air—vinyl chloride and other chemicals released following a Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border—has received comparatively little publicity, including from some relevant federal authorities.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg did not comment on the incident during a Feb. 13 morning appearance at the National Association of Counties Legislative Conference in Washington, though he did mention the safety risks of “balloons,” to laughter from the audience.
The Department of Transportation’s (DoT) website does not yet have any press releases focused on the derailment. Neither does the website for the DoT’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
“While the FRA is also concurrently investigating the accident under our own authority, questions about the accident should be addressed to the NTSB [National Transportation and Safety Board],” a spokesperson for the railroad administration told The Epoch Times in a Feb. 13 email.
Portions of a Norfolk and Southern freight train that derailed on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, are still on fire at midday, on Feb. 4, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)“Individuals drawing conclusions about causes and effects of the accident are speculative and should not be treated as fact until a final report is issued.
The NTSB’s public relations Twitter account posted about the incident on Feb. 4, stating that a go-team from the safety board was heading to the scene.
“Team is expected to arrive today,” it added.
An email from the NTSB directed The Epoch Times to a Feb. 4 media briefing on the incident, available to watch on YouTube.
“Additional information will be issued when available,” the NTSB email added.
The Epoch Times has also reached out to the Secretary of Transportation’s office.
After the Feb. 3 derailment of 50 freight cars from a Norfolk Southern train, East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway declared a “state of emergency” as black smoke billowed from the crash site.
The Times Leader reports the incident marks the third train derailment in Ohio since Oct. 2022.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on Feb. 6 ordered the evacuation of a two-mile by one-mile zone spanning the state line.
A statement from DeWine cited the presence of vinyl chloride in five boxcars, announcing that the possibility of a devastating explosion would be mitigated through a controlled release later that day.
The statement said residents who stayed near the controlled release risked “grave danger of death.”
After the vinyl chloride release, DeWine and other officials said on Feb. 8 that residents near the incident could return to their homes.
A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)Residents of nearby communities have reported that animals on their properties have been sickened or even died, raising concerns about the risk to livestock and humans.
Amanda Breshears of North Lima, Ohio, told ABC27 that video footage showed her chickens dying following the release.
“If it can do this to chickens in one night, imagine what it’s going to do to us in 20 years,” she said.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued an updated report on the incident on Feb. 12.
“Air monitoring since the fire went out has not detected any levels of concern in the community that can be attributed to the incident at this time,” EPA’s statement reads.
“Residents may still smell odors from the site. If you experience symptoms, Columbiana County Health Department recommends calling your medical provider,” it continues, later adding that the agency would work with local authorities “to eventually phase out community air monitoring.”
It also linked to a document attributed to Norfolk Southern detailing the contents of the cars that derailed.
That document indicates that cars containing polyvinyl, another chemical, also burned.
“EPA cannot speak to the design or creation of this document,” the agency statement reads.
A spokesperson for the EPA directed The Epoch Times to the agency’s emergency resources website.
A reporter covering the incident was arrested on Feb. 9 while DeWine was providing an update on the incident, as reported by the Associated Press.
DeWine stated that he did not give the go-ahead to arrest that journalist, according to the Associated Press.
The Epoch Times has also reached out to the White House for comment.