The February 3 East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment and the Government's Lackluster Response
Article by Habiba Lam, TPT Staff Writer
In East Palestine, Ohio, a disastrous train derailment left the country with questions as to why the event has been treated lightly and not as an environmental disaster.
On February 3rd, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train left Madison, Illinois for Conway, Pennsylvania. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in the northeast of the state, shortly after 9 p.m., igniting 38 cars and damaging 12 others. The train carried hazardous chemicals in 20 cars, 11 of which derailed, releasing chemicals such as hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air. Residents of East Palestine were ordered to evacuate but were allowed to return 5 days after the incident once the governor and local officials deemed it safe.
Despite the assurances and clearance, residents of the town continue to fear for their safety after symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and shortness of breath continue to pile up. EPA Chief Michael S. Regan was interviewed by CNN to address the growing concern.
Regan had been walking along a creek that still reeked of chemical odor when the interview was conducted. He attempted to reassure residents that the federal government is working hard, and that the water was safe to drink and the air was safe to breathe. “I’m asking they trust the government,” Regan says. “I know that’s hard. We know there’s a lack of trust.” No other cabinet member or member of the Biden Administration had visited the site following the crash.
Photo via The New York Times/Gene Puskar/Associated Press
“We are testing for the full breath of toxic chemicals that were on that train that was spilled,” explains Regan. “We have the capabilities to detect every single adverse impact that would result from that spill, and that’s what we’re doing,” To address suspicion and alarm among local residents, a town hall was scheduled by local officials, but the train operator and many other government officials did not attend due to “safety concerns.”
Residents have been experiencing several health issues for nearly two weeks, and feel neglected by their officials’ meager response. “It is just a slap in the face,” one resident tells CNN, “because the people who put us out are too afraid to show up to the meeting.”
Since the derailment, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured citizens that the Biden Administration has “mobilized a robust, multi-agency effort to support the people of East Palestine, Ohio.” The efforts will support residents who have been potentially exposed to chemicals.
Despite the Biden Administration's response, which included the deployment of FEMA, the NTSB, Health and Human Services, and the Transportation Department, residents and lawmakers had begun to criticize the time it took for officials to show up to the attack. The delay was reported to have taken two weeks, although according to the White House, authorities arrived one day after the disaster on February 4th. For example, The administration, according to lawmakers, shouldn't have delayed sending out authorities and aid for two weeks. President Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg not visiting the spot to view the area and witness the sight for themselves is of the aspects that are being criticized.
“It is unacceptable that it took nearly two weeks for a senior administration official to show up” at the derailment site” said Senator Joe Manchin.
Senators in both parties have also expressed their frustration on Twitter in reaction to the slow response from the Biden Administration.
“East Palestine railroad derailment will have a significant negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the residents for decades and there is almost zero national media attention. We need Congressional inquiry and direct action from @PeteButtigieg to address this tragedy,” wrote Representative Ilhan Omar on Twitter earlier this week, which received a response from Senator Ted Cruz: “Fully Agree.”
Following the outpouring of criticism, the White House issued a "FACT-SHEET" statement outlining what the administration has done and how it has aided the residents of New Palestine, Ohio:
“EPA personnel arrived on site before dawn on February 4 to support state and local officials who are leading the emergency response efforts. There are dozens of EPA personnel on the ground, including multiple EPA on-scene coordinators, agency scientists, and regional teams, that are tasked with: Monitoring Air Quality, Screening Homes, and holding Norfolk Southern Accountable for clean up.
“The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating every civil aviation accident in the U.S. and significant accidents in other modes of transportation—including railroad, highway, marine, and pipelines, and Department of Transportation arrived on site within hours of the derailment. The NTSB is leading the investigation into the cause of the derailment with Department of Transportation personnel supporting. Once the investigation is complete, the Federal Government will use all available and appropriate authorities to further ensure accountability and improve rail safety.
“In response to Governor DeWine’s request on February 16 for additional federal public health support, HHS and the CDC are deploying a team of medical personnel and toxicologists to conduct public health testing and assessments. The team will include a medical toxicologist and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Region 5 lead to support EPA and state health department efforts. ATSDR protects communities from harmful health effects related to exposure to natural and man-made hazardous substances and will send a team to interview people in the derailment area and conduct an Assessment of Chemical Exposure investigation.”
To assist the residents of East Palestine, Ohio and raise awareness of America's escalating infrastructure problems, more action and policies are required rather than just words and news conferences from the government and its officials.
The views articulated in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the official stances of High School Democrats of America or The Progressive Teen.