Farmers, Environmentalists, and Others Worry about Lingering Effects of Ohio Train Derailment

A Norfolk Southern train with over 100 cars linked together derailed during the late evening of February 3rd and has since been the subject of concern for local residents, environmentalists, medical specialists, and others.

The cause of the derailment is not yet clear, however, authorities have announced that video captured prior to the derailment shows a fire breaking out on the axles of one of the cars. Following the derailment, a series of explosions occurred which emitted toxic plumes of smoke into the air.

Immediately after the derailment, it was revealed that there were 50 cars that had derailed from the track. 20 of those 50 cars likely contained hazardous material, while 14 of those 20 were likely carrying vinyl chloride, a flammable chemical that has been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency as having been shown to “increase the risk of a rare form of liver cancer in humans” among other side effects from exposure.

Immediately after the wreckage, local residents, businesses ranging from used tractor dealers to small businesses, and everyone in between were urged to evacuate the small town of Palestine, Ohio. Officials have since shared that it was safe for residents and business owners to return to the town, however, many residents have been reluctant to do so because of lingering fears.
During the derailment, traces of vinyl chloride were released into the atmosphere, but it’s not clear just how much of the carcinogen was released Into the atmosphere and the surrounding area. Fires that broke out following the derailment continued to burn off and officials have yet to assess the scene firsthand to determine just how much hazardous material leaked into the environment. Outlets have since reported that it’s likely other hazardous materials may have been leaked into the environment.

Farmers, Fishermen, and Others on High Alert

On February 13th, officials with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources announced that roughly 3,500 small fish across just under 8 miles of streams died because of the chemical spill. Despite officials telling the impacted community that the local water sources were safe to use, some residents reported feeling sick or developing coughs days after the derailment. As reported by ABC News, the EPA shared on February 13 that “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.” Despite this, local fishermen, farmers, and others worry about the hazards that may be lingering because of the spill.

As residents continue to demand answers, several lawsuits have been brought forward against the train company and other responsible entities. The most notable lawsuit has been a class action complaint brought forward by residents of Palestine, Ohio. At the heart of this lawsuit is the claim that Norfolk Southern should be held responsible for the lifetime medical care that residents are likely to face.