Dark skies, paranoia and anxiety grabbed a hold of the community of East Palestine; a city located on the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania. On February 3, at approximately 8:54 p.m., a freight train belonging to Norfolk Southern Railway derailed from the tracks. 50 cars derailed, 11 of which were transporting hazardous chemicals.
Reports from The National Transportation Safety Board stated that some of the carts were heavily damaged, and one was at risk to explode and release a large concentration of chemicals for a 1-mile radius. This concerned the residents of East Palestine and health officials because the freight train was transporting dangerous and sometimes lethal chemicals. Some examples are vinyl chloride, Butyl acrylate, Ethylhexyl acrylate, Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and isobutylene.
Upon further investigation, Governors Mike DeWine of Ohio and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania made a joint statement and evacuation spanning a two-mile radius from the train derailment, issuing orders for the evacuation of the residents of East Palestine and of the bordering residents in Pennsylvania
On February 6, Norfolk Southern railway sent specialists to slowly burn away the chemicals to get rid of them and also to reduce the possibility of lethal concentrations from spreading. However, in this process, many residents took pictures of dark clouds of chemicals releasing into and darkening the sky in the aftermath of the incineration.
The paranoia increased even more when residents began to complain of having severe headaches, becoming severely sick and at times claiming to witness the deaths of home pets and livestock. They say this demonstrates the dangers of the chemicals released.
On February 8, Governor DeWine made a statement regarding the disaster, and a reporter by the name of Evan Lambert recorded the statements by live video. In exchanging a few words with the governor and with Major General John Harris of the Ohio National Guard, Lambert was escorted from the building and arrested by the police. He was told to stop his live recording and was jailed for five hours before being released without any charges.
Although officials present said that Lambert was asked to leave for being loud and disturbing the other reporters present. Later, the Governor and Attorney General personally got involved in ensuring Lambert’s charges were dismissed, and many spectators throughout Ohio and the US were alarmed that a legitimate reporter was arrested. Some criticized the suppression of the right to free speech and press, while others said that there may be something that the local government is hiding from its citizens regarding the chemicals released.
Concerns remained when a cloud of chemicals moved into the Ohio River. Local health officials spiked alarms when an estimated 3,500 fish died throughout the water beside East Palestine. As of this time, the Environmental Protection Agency has assessed both the quality of the air and water surrounding the derailment site and has said that the qualities of the environment are stable and residents could return to their homes.
The extent of the effects the derailment has had to this region of the country are still unknown. Both state and federal governments are working together to combat any potential dangers that may still continue to lurk around.
