Cindy Carr, cindy.carr@sierraclub.org
Morgan Caplan, morgan.caplan@sierraclub.org
EAST PALESTINE, OHIO -- Today, EPA Administrator Michael Regan visited East Palestine for the first time following the catastrophic train derailment earlier this month. He is expected to meet with residents and first responders and visit the derailment site.
Residents of East Palestine are calling for increased health protection and transparency from state officials and Norfolk Southern Railway – yet these calls so far have been unanswered. Yesterday, a town hall was held with the mayor, as well as state and federal environmental protection and health agencies, with a key player intentionally missing – Norfolk Southern.
Due to the uncertainty coming from state officials, residents are left without a full understanding of the chemical hazards and the long-term threats these toxins pose for them in their homes, and in their water and air. Exposure to vinyl chloride is linked to liver cancer, lymphoma, and leukemia, and when burned, produces carcinogenic dioxins, dibenzofuans, and related chemicals. While the EPA has continued testing the air and water for some chemicals, they have not yet tested for dioxins in the soil, water or residents homes, or PFAS chemicals which could have been present in the firefighting foam used to control the train fire.
In response, Sierra Club Ohio Chapter Director Ericka Copeland issued the following statement:
“The Sierra Club is glad to see that Administrator Regan is speaking directly with the community, but today’s meetings are only one step in the process of ensuring the health and safety of the region. Governor DeWine’s emergency response has been woefully inadequate, and he must declare a federal state of emergency immediately so the community can receive federal financial and technical support.
“East Palestine and the surrounding communities in Ohio and Pennsylvania deserve full transparency from the EPA, Norfolk Southern, and state leadership, and we echo their call for the EPA to continue air and water testing as well as expanding that testing to monitor for dioxins, dibenzofuans, and PFAS chemicals that may have been released from firefighting foam. Residents deserve to be able to safely return to their homes and access drinking water without the risk of everyday activities like vacuuming exposing them further to these chemicals.”
About the Sierra Club
The Sierra Club is America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, with millions of members and supporters. In addition to protecting every person's right to get outdoors and access the healing power of nature, the Sierra Club works to promote clean energy, safeguard the health of our communities, protect wildlife, and preserve our remaining wild places through grassroots activism, public education, lobbying, and legal action. For more information, visit www.sierraclub.org.