The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Village residents enraged by toxic train spill
Norfolk Southern reps absent at meeting where villagers want answers.
Residents of an Ohio village upended by a freight train derailment packed a gymnasium demanding reassurances after toxic chemicals spilled and burned in a huge plume over their homes and businesses.
“I have three grandbabies,” said Kathy Dyke, who came with hundreds of her neighbors to a meeting Wednesday where representatives of Norfolk Southern were conspicuously absent. “Are they going to grow up here in five years and have cancer?”
State officials insisted yet again that testing shows the air is safe to breathe around East Palestine, where just under 5,000 people live near the Pennsylvania state line. They promised that air and water monitoring would continue.
Many who had waited in a long line snaking outside the gym came away frustrated that they didn’t hear anything new. Some booed or laughed each time they heard the village mayor or state health director assure them that lingering odors from the huge plumes of smoke aren’t dangerous and the water is fine to drink.
In the nearly two weeks since the derailment forced evacuations, residents have complained about suffering from headaches and irritated eyes and finding their cars and lawns covered in soot. The hazardous chemicals that spilled from the train killed thousands of fish, and residents have talked about finding dying or sick pets and wildlife.
Those attending Wednesday’s informational session, originally billed as a town hall meeting, had many questions over health hazards, and demanded more transparency from the railroad operator, which did not attend, citing safety concerns for its staff.
“Why are they being hushhush?” Dyke said of the railroad.
“They’re not out here supporting, they’re not out here answering questions. For three days we didn’t even know what was on the train.”
No one was injured when about 50 cars derailed in a fiery, mangled mess on the outskirts of East Palestine on Feb. 3. As fears grew about a potential explosion, officials seeking to avoid an uncontrolled blast had the area evacuated and opted to release and burn toxic vinyl chloride from five rail cars, sending flames and black smoke billowing.
The state’s Environmental Protection Agency said the latest tests show five wells supplying the village’s drinking water are free from contaminants, but recommended testing private water wells that are closer to the surface.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources estimates spilled contaminants affected more than 7 miles of streams and killed some 3,500 fish, mostly small ones such as minnows and darters. Precautions are being taken to ensure contaminants that reached the Ohio River don’t make it into drinking water, officials said.
The suspected cause of the derailment is a mechanical issue with a rail car axle. The National Transportation Safety Board said it has video appearing to show a wheel bearing overheating just beforehand. The NTSB expects to issue its preliminary report in about two weeks.
found suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police. He was identified as 31-year-old Jerrod Willingham by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
A police spokesman said the shooting investigation “remains highly active,” leading investigators to withhold some details as they work to determine the circumstances around the killing. Police did not say if the shooting was targeted.