OHIO, USA – A hazardous materials expert has harshly criticized the handling of the toxic chemical spill near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, stating that the town of East Palestine had been “nuked with chemicals” in order to open a railroad.
On February 3, a Norfolk Southern cargo train of 150 cars derailed, 20 of which contained hazardous materials, resulting in a large fire. Emergency responders breached five of the cars to release the vinyl chloride, a toxic chemical, which was then diverted into a trench and burned off.
The controlled burn released phosgene and hydrogen chloride into the atmosphere, prompting the evacuation of local residents. The fire was extinguished by February 8, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has since monitored the air and drinking water around the site of the derailment, both of which have been deemed unaffected by the spill.
However, many residents have reported symptoms associated with exposure to toxic chemicals, and experts have warned of potential ecological consequences depending on the success of the clean-up. Sil Caggiano, a former fire department battalion chief and 21-year hazmat technician, expressed his outrage at the situation, saying: “We basically nuked a town with chemicals so we could get a railroad open.”
Read more: ‘We Basically Nuked a Town’: Hazmat Specialist on Ohio Toxic Spill
Tags: East Palestine Ohio