Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, are begging for help and answers two weeks after a train operated by Norfolk Southern derailed and spilled deadly chemicals. Many are concerned about their long-term health, and for some, the frustration is approaching a breaking point.
“This is disaster, nightmare, something you watch on TV,” said Tracey Hoffman, who lives two-tenths of a mile from where the train derailed.
Hoffman is not drinking water from her tap — fearing it is poisoned —.
and has joined one of many class-action lawsuits against Norfolk Southern.
“It’s been, ‘Don’t ask questions,’” Hoffman added.
The derailment occurred on Feb. 3, after at least one prior malfunction. Thirty-eight of the train’s cars derailed, while a fire affected 12 others. Several cars were carrying chemicals, including vinyl chloride. Workers carried out a controlled release of chemicals into the air after multiple cars were in risk of exploding, bringing up a plume of black smoke.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air in the village is returned to pre-accident levels, and state officials confirmed earlier this week the municipal water is “safe to drink.” EPA chief Michael Regan tried to reassure suspicious residents of their safety on a visit to East Palestine Thursday, and said, “We are absolutely going to hold Norfolk Southern accountable.”
Ohio locals ask for answers about health concerns following train catastrophe 03:07
Norfolk Southern has declared that it will remain in the East Palestine area “to help make things right.” While executives of the corporation did not attend a town hall for residents on Tuesday night, generating ire, the company stated in a statement Wednesday it will help East Palestine recover.
CEO Alan Shaw stated, “We are here and will stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to help East Palestine recover and thrive,”
“I know there are still a lot of questions without answers,” he remarked. “I am aware that you are exhausted. I am aware you are anxious. We will not disappoint you.”
Norfolk Southern has maintained its promise to pay for the cleanup and has begun issuing residents $1,000 “inconvenience checks” For some, though, such as Michael and Cassidy Bailes, who live just outside the evacuation zone, this sum is insufficient.
“As soon as we entered our home, everything began to fire. Our throats, nostrils, and ears “Cassidy Bailes stated.
Michael Bailes stated that he is “pretty worried” about his family’s health and would relocate if he had the funds.
Norfolk Southern’s issues are intensifying. Another one of the company’s trains derailed outside of Detroit on Thursday. The authorities claim that one of the train wagons was transporting a dangerous liquid chlorine. According to them, the automobile was not overturned and there were no leaks or spills.
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