As nationally reported for almost two weeks now, a Norfolk Southern train with multiple cars derailed and burned in East Palestine, Ohio on Friday, February 3, 2023. The resulting fires and explosions necessitated widespread evacuations and produced a huge “mushroom cloud” plume of contaminants, releasing toxic chemicals and gases across a wide area of the state.
As reported today by NEWSWEEK, many of the train cars contained acutely hazardous, flammable and/or carcinogenic chemicals that, when burned, may produce additional highly toxic gases. The transported chemicals included Vinyl Chloride, Butyl Acrylate, Ethylhexyl Acrylate and Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl.
Here is an Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) photograph of the derailment site following extinguishment:
The NEWSWEEK article may be viewed HERE.
As National Public Radio (“NPR”) reported today, EPA and local Ohio officials have allowed residents of East Palestine to return to their homes and businesses – this despite ongoing cleanup of the derailment area and continuing (if not increasing) reports of citizens observing dead fish, birds and the presence of odors creating illness and irritations. Many citizens are not able to remain in the area for substantial periods of time.
The NPR article may be viewed HERE.
Yahoo! is reporting today that local residents of greater East Palestine are now filing class action lawsuits against Norfolk Southern in response to the substantial environmental contamination and the reported negative health effects suffered by citizens and wildlife or pets.
The Yahoo! article may be viewed HERE.
My brothers and sisters, as a former environmental specialist and enforcement manager with the State of New Mexico, I have great concern about what seemed to be a rush to return residents to their businesses and homes, considering the nature of the contaminants, the reports of human illness, dead or injured fish and animals, and particularly because of the EPA’s intentional release of additional contaminants during the post-derailment burn to help mitigate the danger of explosions and to facilitate site abatement.
Please pray for wisdom and humility for all of the environmental leaders and experts to DO WHAT IS RIGHT and not what is politically expedient or simply mitigating liability for the responsible parties.
The Biden Administration seems very quiet for some reason. This is not a minor incident and should be analyzed carefully for the purpose of implementing better control, transport and mitigation procedures, and to assure all necessary protection of human heath and the environment.
James 1:5 (NLT)
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and [H]e will give it to you.”
Proverbs 11:2 (NLT)
“Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”
