Disturbing reports continue to emerge in the wake of the derailment of a train transporting deadly chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio, last week.
According to The Daily Wire, a first responder on the scene of the Norfolk Southern train derailment reports that fellow responders and area residents “are experiencing health issues after officials conducted a controlled burn of hazardous materials at the crash site.”
Many have criticized federal and state officials for their response to the disaster and media outlets for their minimal coverage. Authorities initially evacuated all residents within one mile of the crash site but have since given the green light for all to return.
Concerns remain, however, regarding the impact the deadly chemicals will have on the region’s soil and water supply.
Authorities decided to initiate a controlled burn of the spilled industrial chemicals to avoid a possible explosion. The list of deadly chemicals includes vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen harmful to humans at a one part per million level. Many fear that toxic chemical elements were transported in the smoke of the controlled burn.
Fox News reported there are “rising worries about the air and water quality in the Ohio River Basin” as “dark smoke [from the controlled burn hovers] throughout eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
The first responder told the Daily Wire: “A large number of firefighters, police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and state troopers have experienced many symptoms including a bad cough, headaches, sore throat, and diarrhea. … The same symptoms were reported by residents who did not evacuate.”
The first responder, who remains unnamed for fear of reprisal, added that he and other responders were “encouraged to have a full physical and blood work done by our family doctors just in case any exposure could lead to lifelong ailments.”
Norfolk Southern and state and federal authorities announced that tests on local water sources “have not revealed concerning levels of hazardous material.” However, there are widely circulated reports of fish and wildlife die-offs following the controlled burn.
The Daily Wire reported that on Monday, the Ohio Department of Agriculture announced the “food supply is safe, and the risk to livestock remains low.” Their statement also noted that the agency has not “received any official reports regarding the wellness of animals related to the incident.”
The first responder described the explosion that initiated the controlled burn: “When it first exploded, a dark gray mushroom-like cloud appeared overhead and colored the sky the same color,” he said. “It was unlike anything I have ever seen.”
In addition to vinyl chloride, the Environmental Protection Agency reported the train also carried ethylene glycol monobutyl and ethylhexyl acrylate. Both chemicals are harmful to humans — the latter a known carcinogen.
Preliminary investigation reports note a malfunctioning car axle likely caused the derailment.
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