I. LATEST EVENTS
In accordance with the latest reports provided in our first part of this series of posts on the incident that occurred on February 3, 2023 in East Palestine, Ohio, we will continue to mention some of the most relevant facts until March 9, 2023.
February 24: Michigan and Texas officials say they were surprised to learn that Ohio's hazardous waste was headed to their states because they were not notified in advance.
February 25: EPA orders Norfolk Southern to stop shipments of hazardous waste so it can review the company's disposal plans.
February 26: Hazardous waste shipments will resume and go to two EPA-certified facilities in Ohio, says EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore. Shipments will begin the next day. “Some of the liquid waste will be sent to a facility in Vickery, Ohio, where it will be disposed of in an underground injection well,” Shore says. “Norfolk Southern will also begin sending solid waste to the Heritage Incinerator in East Liverpool, Ohio.”
Week of Feb. 27 : A data analysis suggests that nine of the dozens of chemicals the EPA has been monitoring are higher than would normally be found in eastern Palestine, according to scientists at Texas A&M and Carnegie Mellon universities.
Feb. 28 - Recent heavy rains may have allowed "a small amount of very dilute contaminants" to flow from Sulphur Run into Leslie Run, the Ohio governor's office said, citing the state's environmental protection agency.
The EPA and local government officials have repeatedly said that their tests show that the air quality in the area is safe and that the chemicals should dissipate. Until now As of Feb. 30 , officials had tested the air in 578 homes and said chemical pollution levels have not exceeded residential air quality standards.
An EPA spokesperson says the chemicals monitored "are below levels of concern for adverse health impacts from short-term exposure."
- MARCH 2023
March 1st: A Norfolk Southern employee and official sends a letter to Gov. DeWine with the subject line: “Norfolk Southern’s cost-cutting business model is dangerous for America.” The letter accuses Norfolk Southern of cutting corners on safety measures in favor of maximizing record profits. It also claims that employees who worked at the scene of the accident were not given sufficient protective equipment. Many other employees “reported that they continue to experience migraines and nausea, days after the derailment,” the letter says.
March 2 – A nationwide safety advisory is issued after investigators discover that on some of the derailed cars, aluminum covers meant to protect safety valves had melted. After the train derailed, authorities determined that at least one car containing vinyl chloride had malfunctioning safety valves, and officials feared that pressure buildup in that car could lead to a deadly, catastrophic explosion of the chemical.
March 3: Health assessment survey results reveal a variety of symptoms reported by East Palestine residents following the derailment. Of the nearly 170 people surveyed who were seen by a doctor, 74% reported headaches, 64% reported anxiety, 61% reported coughing, 58% reported fatigue or tiredness, and 52% reported skin irritation, pain, or burning.
March 4th: Another Norfolk Southern freight train derails in Ohio, this time in Springfield, about 200 miles southwest of East Palestine. Twenty-eight cars derail, Norfolk Southern official Kraig Barner soon says, downing large power lines, knocking out electricity and temporarily prompting shelter-in-place orders for nearby homes.
March 5: Officials say the Springfield event did not cause any hazardous spills or environmental damage. "There was no release of any hazardous chemicals or materials into the soil, into the air, into the water," says Ohio EPA Director Anne Vogel.
March 6: Norfolk Southern is responding to allegations that its workers were not provided with adequate personal protective equipment and says it has not received any reports of injuries or illnesses from employees working at the site.
Norfolk Southern is also announcing a six-point safety plan following the NTSB's preliminary report on the East Palestine disaster. These points refer to hot bearing detectors with IR sensors, installation of acoustic bearing detectors, installation of new inspection technology, including the use of high-resolution cameras on its Premier Corridor that connects the Northeast and Midwest and runs through East Palestine.
March 7: A Norfolk Southern driver dies after being struck by a dump truck in Cleveland. The tragedy prompts the NTSB to launch "an in-depth investigation into the company's safety practices and culture."
"Given the number and significance of Norfolk Southern's recent accidents, the NTSB also urges the company to take immediate steps today to review and evaluate its safety practices, with input from employees and others, and implement changes as necessary to improve safety," the NTSB said in a statement.
The cause of the accident is not yet known, says Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw, adding that the company will cooperate with the NTSB investigation.
March 9: A U.S. Senate panel holds a hearing on the train derailment in eastern Palestine, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle call for answers and action in the wake of the disaster.
Original CNN Report: https://edition.cnn.com/2023/02/23/us/east-palestine-ohio-train-derailment-timeline/index.html
II. ENVIRONMENTAL AND HEALTH IMPLICATIONS
An analysis of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data from measurements of pollutants released by the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, suggests that nine of the dozens of chemicals the EPA has been monitoring are higher than would normally be found in the area.
Some residents of East Palestine, Ohio, say they have developed rashes, sore throats, nausea and headaches after returning home this week, and they are concerned that these new symptoms are related to chemicals released after a train derailment two weeks ago.
If levels of some of these chemicals remain high, they pose a long-term health problem for residents, scientists say. Temperature changes or strong winds can stir up the chemicals and release them into the atmosphere.
According to initially released information, a total of 38 cars derailed in the incident, including 11 that were carrying hazardous materials. Other chemicals of concern at the site include phosgene and hydrogen chloride, which are released when vinyl chloride breaks down; butyl acrylate; ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate; and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. All of these chemicals can change when they break down or react with other things in the environment, creating a stew of potential toxins.
EPA air monitoring data shows that levels of the chemicals “are below levels of concern for adverse health impacts from short-term exposures,” an agency spokesperson told CNN on Monday. “The long-term risks referenced in this analysis assume lifetime exposure, which is consistent exposure for approximately 70 years. EPA does not anticipate levels of these chemicals to remain high anywhere near that. We are committed to staying in East Palestine and will continue to monitor the air inside and outside homes to ensure these levels remain safe over time.”
A. COMPOUNDS INVOLVED
Vinyl Chloride: It is a colorless gas used in the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, which are widely used in the construction, automotive, and packaging industries. It is a highly toxic substance that can cause serious health problems when inhaled or ingested. It is classified as a Group 1 carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and has been linked to liver damage, central nervous system dysfunction, and cancer. Long-term exposure to vinyl chloride has been linked to liver and lung cancer, as well as other health problems.
Butyl acrylate: It is commonly used in the production of polymers and resins, as well as in adhesives, paints and coatings. It is known to have moderate toxicity to aquatic organisms and may cause skin and eye irritation in humans upon contact. Given the known toxicity of the chemical, there is a potential for adverse effects on aquatic life and human health.
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether: EGBE, also known as EGBE or 2-butoxyethanol, is a colorless liquid with a mild, sweet odor. It is used as a solvent in many industries, including coatings, cleaning products, and textiles. EGBE is also used as a fuel additive and in hydraulic brake fluids.
Long-term exposure can cause serious health effects, including liver, kidney, and blood damage. EGBE has also been linked to reproductive and developmental effects. Short-term exposure to high levels of EGBE can cause eye, nose, and throat irritation, as well as headaches, dizziness, and nausea. The effects of the Ohio derailment on the environment and public health depend on the severity and duration of exposure to EGBE.
Ethylhexyl acrylate It is commonly used in the production of adhesives, coatings and textiles. When released into the environment, ethylhexyl acrylate can have harmful effects on both human health and the ecosystem.8
As for possible long-term effects, ethylhexyl acrylate can cause skin and eye irritation, respiratory problems, liver and kidney damage at sufficiently high concentrations. Chronic exposure has also been linked to an increased risk of cancer.
Isobutylene used in the production of rubber, plastics, and other chemicals. If spilled or leaked, it can pose serious health risks to workers and nearby communities. Possible long-term effects of exposure include respiratory problems, skin irritation, and damage to the central nervous system. Studies have also suggested a possible link between exposure and an increased risk of cancer.
Benzene: a highly flammable liquid that evaporates rapidly into the air. It is widely used in the manufacture of plastics, synthetic fibers, rubber, dyes, detergents, and pharmaceuticals. Benzene is also a component of crude oil and gasoline.
Exposure to benzene can cause a wide range of health effects, including leukemia and other cancers, as well as damage to the immune system and reproductive system. The severity of these health effects depends on the duration and level of exposure.
Given the toxic nature of the aforementioned chemicals, and their potential health effects, the Ohio train derailment is of great concern for both the environment and public health. The potential long-term effects of the spill will depend on the level and duration of exposure, as well as the effectiveness of cleanup efforts. It is important that local authorities and environmental experts closely monitor the situation to assess the extent of the damage and develop an effective plan to mitigate its effects.
It is noteworthy that as of March 10, 2023, the highest levels found in eastern Palestine were of a chemical called acrolein, the analysis states.
Acrolein is used for the control of plants, algae, rodents and microorganisms. It is a clear liquid at room temperature and is toxic. It can cause inflammation and irritation of the skin, respiratory tract and mucous membranes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
B. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
A total of 38 train cars derailed in eastern Palestine near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. They included “11 tanker cars carrying hazardous materials that subsequently ignited and fueled fires” that damaged a dozen cars that did not derail, the NTSB said in a preliminary report.
The train derailment had serious environmental impacts, including soil, water and air pollution. Vinyl chloride released during the fire contaminated the soil and surrounding waterways, posing a risk to local wildlife and the ecosystem. The long-term consequences of the incident for the environment are not yet known, but the damage could be significant.
According to the report, five of those derailed train cars were carrying 115,580 gallons of vinyl chloride. Those five cars “continued to cause concern to authorities because the temperature inside one tank car continued to rise,” indicating a polymerization reaction that could lead to an explosion, the report said. To help prevent a deadly vinyl chloride explosion, crews released the toxic chemical into a trench and burned it three days after the derailment.
Some waterways in the area were polluted after the derailment, killing more than 40,000 fish and other aquatic life, but officials said those pollutants have been contained.
The EPA says it will continue to monitor air quality in the area and in residents’ homes. The agency said it is collecting outdoor air samples for pollutants of concern, including vinyl chloride, a hard plastic resin used to make plastic products like pipes or packaging material that can be a cancer concern; n-butyl acrylate, a clear liquid used to make resins and paint products that can cause irritation or damage to the eyes, throat, nose, and lungs, as well as skin allergy; and ethylhexyl acrylate, another colorless liquid used to make paints, plastics, and adhesives that can cause skin and eye irritation.
EPA also collected field measurements for hydrogen sulfide, benzene, hydrogen cyanide, hydrogen chloride, phosgene, and particulate matter.
The derailment has had a significant impact on the environment and the local community. According to background information, toxic vinyl chloride fumes are leaking into the air and water in the area, posing a serious health risk to residents. In addition, cleanup efforts are expected to take months, if not years, to complete.
East Palestine is served by a public water system that draws its water from five wells. These wells pump water from 52 to 98 feet underground. None of the wells are within 1.4 miles of the train derailment site. Groundwater to the source wells is primarily fed from the northwest and flows eastward, meaning groundwater at the derailment site is not expected to reach the municipal water system's source area. However, four monitoring wells were installed between the two affected waterways, Sulphur Run and Leslie Run, and the village well field to ensure the continued safety of the water supply. By testing the water from these wells, potential contaminants would be discovered before they reach the village wells.
Surface waters. You've probably seen the videos of people stirring up water in streams and causing a sheen to form on the water. Some of the hydrocarbons from the initial fire became attached to the sediments. Stirring up the stagnant sediments of any body of water has the potential to create a sheen. However, we're not seeing these contaminants in the water itself unless the sediments are disturbed.
Cleanup of the creek sediment continues through the use of multiple techniques designed to release contamination from within the sediment and capture the contamination with vacuum trucks. Captured material is collected in storage tanks and sent for disposal at an approved hazardous waste facility.
It is important to note that this water is not the source of the municipal water supply in East Palestine. Nor is this water believed to be the source of private wells. However, we urge owners of private wells to have their water tested.
The water in Sulphur Run near the derailment site is heavily contaminated. A containment area was created on February 8. Clean water is being pumped upstream around the containment area to isolate the severely contaminated water and sediment. This minimizes the amount of contaminants that could flow downstream. Contractors are working to remove contaminated water in the containment area.
Sulphur Run flows into Leslie Run, which flows into Bull Creek, which flows into North Fork Little Beaver Creek, which flows into Little Beaver Creek, which flows into the Ohio River.
Small spikes in contaminant levels may be observed immediately after rainfall. This is because contaminants that have settled to the bottom of the stream are stirred up by increased stream flow. This can also occur when people or equipment disturb the streambed and adjacent land areas during treatment and cleanup processes.
Soils: EPA and Norfolk Southern contractors have identified an inspection zone that focuses on a one-mile radius around the site, with a larger radius of 2 miles southeast of the site to account for how ash and soot may have traveled based on modeling and wind observations.
Crews will conduct a minimum of 277 inspections in the area. A portion of those inspected areas will be sampled. Crews will decontaminate tools and equipment after collecting samples, and all work will be completed in accordance with established safety and health plans.
Soil sample locations for this work plan are represented by yellow and red dots. Green dots show locations of background control soil sample collection sites. Blue dots show locations of derailment site sample locations. One- and two-mile radius areas are represented by black and purple circles. The eastern Palestinian city boundary is outlined in yellow.
Note: This sampling work plan does not address soil near the derailment site that may have been contaminated with hazardous liquids and other emissions directly from the rail cars, as this contamination is being addressed in a separate work plan.
On Thursday, the EPA capitulated to residents’ demands and said it would require Norfolk Southern to test for dioxins, cancer-causing chemicals that form during combustion. The EPA had previously declined to require dioxin testing, saying these chemicals are already present in the environment, making it difficult to interpret what their levels mean. The EPA said it would require the railroad to study dioxin levels in comparable areas to give some context to the test results.
Authorities have focused much of their concern on a 2-mile radius around the spill, but residents living farther away, including some farmers in nearby Pennsylvania, say they have also been affected.
C. HEALTH CONSEQUENCES
Immediate health effects experienced by residents include skin rashes, nausea, shortness of breath, and other respiratory problems. Long-term exposure to vinyl chloride can lead to various health risks, including liver and lung damage, cancer, and reproductive problems. Authorities have taken steps to mitigate health risks, including providing medical assistance to affected residents and conducting air and water quality testing.
However, health risks are a reality that must be taken into account since each chemical has properties that can present a different health risk. The possible long-term effects of the Ohio spill on the environment and public health will depend on the severity and duration of exposure. Short-term exposure to high concentrations of vinyl chloride can cause acute symptoms such as dizziness, headaches and respiratory irritation. On the other hand, long-term exposure to lower concentrations has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer and other health effects.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said a request for medical experts from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has been granted and officials should arrive early next week to help shore up a clinic for patients.
“We know that the science indicates that this water is safe, the air is safe. But we also know very understandably that the residents of East Palestine are concerned,” he said on Friday.
DeWine said he plans to set up a clinic where HHS officials and others will answer questions, assess symptoms and provide medical expertise. The Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, also says it expects to have a team on site by Monday, according to a CDC spokesperson who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to share the details. The team will conduct a Chemical Exposure Assessment investigation, which examines the impact of a chemical release on people and the community.
Volatile organic compounds released by the controlled explosion may cause symptoms similar to those reported by some residents of eastern Palestine, including headache, sore throat and irritation of the nose and eyes, but experts say it is extremely difficult to link chemical exposures to health effects.
The recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, highlights the serious risks to health and the environment. We hope this article has provided some useful information on the topic and helped you better understand the importance of staying safe in the face of a dangerous chemical disaster.
To read the full article, visit the following link: (25) DE-RAILING IN PALESTINE, OHIO: IMPACTS AND TOXICITY (PART II) | LinkedIn