President Joe Biden has directed federal agencies to conduct door-to-door checks in East Palestine, Ohio, starting from Saturday, to check on families affected by the toxic train derailment.
The teams from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Environmental Protection Agency and Federal Emergency Management Agency will visit homes, ask about residents’ well-being, see what they need, and connect them with appropriate resources from government and nonprofit organizations.
The move comes amid criticism by House Republicans who blamed Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg for the delayed response to the derailment, while Democrats pointed to the rollbacks in rail and environmental regulations by former President Donald Trump.
The White House denied claims that the administration has not been present in providing assistance, but the president is yet to visit Ohio.
The teams of the CDC, EPA, and FEMA will use a ‘walk team’ approach similar to those following natural disasters. Biden has directed employees to visit as many homes as possible by Monday, with the immediate goal to visit at least 400.
The White House has released a preliminary report stating that the crew operating the Norfolk Southern freight train did not have much warning before the derailment occurred, and there is no indication that crew members did anything wrong.
Meanwhile, officials from Texas and Michigan have expressed concern about contaminated wastewater and soil being transported to their states for disposal.
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