As widely reported for almost two weeks now, a Norfolk Southern train with multiple railcar tankers derailed and burned in East Palestine, Ohio on Friday, February 3, 2023. The resulting fire and risk of explosion necessitated widespread evacuations and produced a huge “mushroom cloud” plume of contaminants, releasing toxic chemicals and gases across a wide area of the state. The transported chemicals included Vinyl Chloride, Butyl Acrylate, Ethylhexyl Acrylate and Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl.
WKBN First News, Youngstown, Ohio, is reporting that the US Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) sent a letter to Norfolk Southern stating that at least a portion of the contaminated soil from the February 3, 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio was improperly disposed.
The EPA letter stated that five railcar tankers of vinyl chloride were intentionally breached, with the vinyl chloride diverted to an excavated trench and then burned off. Areas of contaminated soil and free liquids were observed and potentially covered and/or filled during reconstruction of the rail line.
The full WKBN report may be viewed HERE.
A PDF copy of the US EPA letter, dated February 10, 2023, may be downloaded and viewed by clicking below.
Norfolk Southern Train Derailment EPA Letter 2-10-2023
Grist (a nonprofit, independent media organization) is reporting that during a news conference on February 14, 2023, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine learned that the railcar tankers were marked as non-hazardous, and accordingly, officials weren’t notified that the train would be crossing through the state. The governor is seeking investigation from Congress as to how this was allowed to happen.
Grist is also reporting about contaminated soils from the Norfolk Southern train derailment and/or burn pit being covered on site with other soil instead of being properly disposed – as described in the EPA’s letter to Norfolk Southern, above.
Grist’s full report may be viewed HERE.
Ohio Pastor among those affected by chemical spill
FGGAM’s initial reporting about this situation, published February 14, 2023, may be viewed HERE.
My brothers and sisters, we should continue to 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.
It is exceedingly important to all of the persons who live in the greater East Palestine area that the air, water and food they consume is safe. 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 health and the environment.
As always, praise Jesus forevermore!
