By: Demi Conteh
On February 3, a train transporting several poisonous chemicals derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, sending carriages with large amounts of vinyl chloride and butyl acetate spilling onto the ground nearby. For many years to come, scientists will keep an eye on the ecology around the places in Ohio damaged by this significant chemical leak. Experts told ABC News that tens of thousands of aquatic creatures have perished due to this incident. The state of marine life will also indicate if adjacent ecosystems are secure enough for human activities to continue.
Over subsequent days, a controlled fire released even more poisonous chemicals, leading to a required evacuation order for everyone living within one mile of the crash site due to the potentially fatal hazards associated with inhaling the chemicals in high quantities. Since the evacuation order, health experts have started testing the soil, air, and land to ensure the environment is safe for people to return. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources reported on February 14 that at least 3,500 aquatic creatures along the Ohio River have perished as a result of contaminants from the controlled burn seeping into the streams, even after the evacuation order had been removed on February 8.
More than 43,000 animals died by February 23, both in and around East Palestine. According to ABC News' interview with Michael Booth, a research professor of fish and aquatic ecology at the University of Cincinnati, this is noteworthy since Ohio utilises the fish community as a general indication of water quality. In addition, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, 11 animals have also been submitted for testing to establish whether the chemical discharge played a role in their demise.
When the train company at the center of the tragedy failed to attend a public meeting intended to allay concerns about a dangerous chemical leak in a town in Ohio, resentment further increased. Representatives of the Norfolk Southern railroad, whose train carrying the chemicals derailed 13 days earlier and caused a massive fire, claimed security concerns. Emergency personnel carried out a controlled discharge of vinyl chloride from five railcars that were in danger of blowing up after the crash. East Palestine was covered in thick black smoke, but workers in charge of keeping an eye on the air quality tried to reassure the people that everything was proceeding according to plan. However, several locals said that despite the government' promises, they remained fearful of the possible negative effects, which they claim had already affected both people and wildlife. Additionally, hundreds of dead fish have been found in the town's waterways, and residents have reported to the local media that their chickens and other pets have taken ill. Several people have also reported having trouble getting their water tested, which fuels their suspicion of what they perceive to be an insufficient and inefficient crisis response.
Commentaires