On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train traveling through East Palestine, Ohio, derailed in the small town after a defective rail axle failed. Roughly 50 cars were damaged after the train derailed, 11 carrying hazardous materials including vinyl chloride, benzene, and more. These chemicals caused an immediate fire, and new evidence shows that the train was on fire miles before it drove off the tracks. This fire continued until February 8, forcing many locals out of their homes for the five days in between while the fire raged on. The train company, Norfolk Southern, conducted a controlled burn to prevent an explosion and keep people safe. However, it simply released a blanket of toxic smoke over the town. Hazardous chemicals were released into the surrounding air, water, and soil, leaving unknown lasting effects on the environment.
This environmental issue in East Palestine has taken over social media. New pictures of a toxic cloud and contaminated water in the town have gone viral, advertising this issue as one of the “largest environmental disasters in US history.” Although officials have said the area is safe for living and free of hazards, locals feel the effects of what happened. Many report sudden ailments such as sore throat, nausea, rash, eye irritation, etc. This could be due to chemicals in the air, and locals have also reported an almost unbearable chemical smell. These lasting side effects are scary. According to CNN, many locals, especially those with children, choose to leave East Palestine after only briefly returning because they feel unsafe, which is very understandable. The incident has also harmed the environment as hundreds of fish have been found dead in creeks and ponds, and chemical residue has been found in the soil surrounding the area.
This disaster is close to home, roughly 70 miles from here in Chardon. It should receive more attention, as it has widespread detrimental effects on people, animals, and the air. More needs to be done to lessen the impact this disaster will have on the environment and help the directly impacted locals. There is not much we can do as students to help, but we are seeing the effects of pollution right here in Ohio.