Intro

An environmental disaster has recently taken place in East Palestine, Ohio. On February 3rd, a train derailed due to a wheel bearing failure, resulting in a fire that lasted for several days. As a result, hazardous chemicals including butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, isobutylene, and vinyl chloride were released into the air, soil, and water, causing damage to the environment and putting residents' health at risk.

The Fallout of the Disaster

Many residents experienced burning sensations, and many animals became ill and died. Frogs and fish died in local streams, and strong odors filled the air. The evacuation order was lifted, but the effects of the disaster are still being felt. Despite the surface water division chief of the Ohio EPA claiming that low-level contaminants should be filtered out, there is still widespread concern over the quality of the drinking water.

The Potential Health Effects

These chemicals have various health effects, including nausea, dizziness, headaches, and eye irritation. Isobutylene can lead to coma and death in high doses, and vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen, is associated with an increased risk of rare liver cancer that is exceptionally deadly, brain and lung cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia. Unfortunately, many East Palestine natives have experienced symptoms of exposure to these chemicals, despite the EPA claiming no "chemical contaminants of concern" were detected.

Who Should Take Responsibility?

Norfolk Southern, the company responsible for the accident, has pledged to fund the cleanup efforts. However, it has not yet addressed how it plans to care for the affected residents. The residents have filed suits against Norfolk Southern to pay for diagnostic testing for illnesses that may be caused by these chemicals. Clean drinking water should be a basic human right, and it should be up to Norfolk Southern to pay for diagnostic testing and screening for liver cancer of these affected residents.

The Ohio River provides water to 24 states and 25 million people. The potential long-term effects of the disaster are staggering. The incident in East Palestine serves as a reminder of how essential clean drinking water is and how vital it is for companies to take responsibility for their actions.

Conclusion

The environmental disaster in East Palestine is a significant concern. With residents experiencing symptoms and the potential long-term health effects, it is vital that the responsible company, Norfolk Southern, takes action to address the situation. Clean drinking water is a basic human right and should not be jeopardized for any reason. The residents of East Palestine deserve answers and action, and it is up to us to ensure that their voices are heard.