Remember the derailing’s effect on wildlife
Reports about the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio last month have people concernedover the negative effects it may have had on human, along with ecological, health. As an employee of Humane Action Pittsburgh, I wantto say let’s be sure not forget about the impact this disaster has had on our wildlife as well.
Officials announced in late February that 43,700 animals, mostly aquatic species, have died within about 5 miles of affected waterways. Along with fish, amphibian and reptile species like frogs and salamanders also perished due to acute exposure to the chemicals immediatelyafter the derailment.
However, what will be the long-term, chronic effects on wildlife? Officials say they have not seen any ill effects or deaths in land-dwelling animals, but it remains to be seen whether we should be concerned about wildlife, farm animals, and even companion animals. And, contrary to what officials say, many people around East Palestine have reported that their animals have gotten sick or even diedafter the derailment.
We also don’t know how far these dangerous chemicals will travel and how widespread impacts to wildlife could be. Researchers don’t knowmuch about the effects of vinyl chloride (the primary leaked chemical) on animals, so even when attention to this event starts to taper off, the effects could still be on-going. How long will it take for everythingto recover?
These kinds of incidents cannot keep happening. Let’s all continue calling for accountability and change to stop more wild animals from being harmed by these preventableaccidents.