On February 3, 2023, a freight train transporting hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, triggering a catastrophe that garnered worldwide attention. The derailment caused railcars loaded with toxic agents to rupture, igniting chemical fires and discharging pollutants into the atmosphere and waterways at the base of the Appalachian Mountains. This incident, which took place close to the Ohio-Pennsylvania border, prompted extensive evacuations and heightened serious worries regarding public health and environmental security.
### The Immediate Aftermath
Governors from both Ohio and Pennsylvania swiftly issued evacuation directives for individuals living within a one-mile radius of the derailment location. Thick black smoke and flames surged from the wreckage, and a pungent odor spread through the vicinity. Toxic chemicals flowed into adjacent streams, worsening the environmental emergency.
Three days post-derailment, Norfolk Southern, the company accountable for the train, controversially decided to vent about 1 million pounds of vinyl chloride—an extremely hazardous chemical—into the atmosphere from the compromised railcars. This chemical was subsequently ignited, generating a sizable black mushroom cloud. Federal investigators later concluded that this open burn was unnecessary, but by that point, the harm was already inflicted. The pollutants had dispersed throughout Ohio and Pennsylvania, tainting air, water, and soil.
### The Role of Environmental Engineers
Environmental engineers, including myself and my team, were called in to evaluate the public health implications following the cataclysm. As the evacuation orders were lifted, many local residents reported ailments such as headaches, rashes, and respiratory issues. They sought assistance in grasping the extent of the pollution and the dangers they faced upon their return to homes and workplaces.
In a recent examination, we analyzed the contamination in the region and identified various deficiencies in the emergency response and cleanup operations. In several instances, these lapses raised the chances that residents would encounter hazardous materials. Our insights provide essential lessons for enhancing disaster preparedness and safeguarding communities in the future.
### How Chemicals Spread
When substantial amounts of chemicals are introduced into the environment, they can disseminate through various pathways. Airborne substances can infiltrate homes and buildings through cracks, windows, doors, and other openings. Once indoors, they may settle on surfaces such as carpets, furniture, and clothing, only to be re-released into the atmosphere when disturbed. Chemicals can also leach into water sources, contaminating groundwater and wells, and in some instances, they can migrate underground and infiltrate buildings, posing risks to indoor air quality.
### Contamination in Homes and Buildings
Three weeks following the derailment, we initiated an assessment of the safety of 17 structures in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The most elevated levels of air pollution were detected within the one-mile evacuation zone and an extra mile beyond. Nevertheless, the chemical plume had progressed even further, impacting regions beyond the specified boundaries.
Within a building situated just 0.2 miles from the derailment site, indoor air remained tainted with hazardous chemicals more than four months after the incident. Nine days after the event, air quality assessments indicated the presence of butyl acrylate—a chemical transported by the train—at levels that endangered human health. In spite of this, contractors employed by Norfolk Southern spent a mere 10 minutes in the building before departing, citing an “overwhelming” odor, even though their handheld air pollution detectors did not register any chemicals.
Subsequent tests confirmed that chemicals had infiltrated the building’s silicone wristband products and other surfaces. We also identified additional substances likely linked to the spill. This building, like numerous others in the vicinity, was located near Sulphur Run creek, which had been severely contaminated by the spill. Pollutants from the creek likely entered the building through both air and water.
### Contaminated Water and Air
The creeks running through East Palestine became severely polluted in the aftermath of the derailment. Over 43,000 fish were found dead downstream, and chemicals extended as far as 270 miles down the Ohio River. As the tainted water flowed, lighter chemicals such as butyl acrylate volatilized, entering the atmosphere and further disseminating the pollution.
Ironically, the equipment utilized to cleanse the creeks also contributed to atmospheric contamination. Aeration devices, which infuse air into water to aid fish survival, unintentionally released chemicals from the liquid into the air. Residents near these aerators reported strong odors and health issues, likely due to increased chemical levels in the atmosphere.
### Long-Term Health Risks
The enduring health risks for those exposed to the chemicals continue to be a major concern. Individuals who resided or worked near the derailment site, along with cleanup personnel and public employees, reported a spectrum of health problems. Norfolk Southern and one of its contractors faced repercussions for failing to safeguard workers from chemical exposure.
In light of the widespread health complaints and the limitations of evaluations conducted by government bodies, we advocate for prolonged medical monitoring for those affected. This is especially crucial for individuals who spent time in contaminated structures, as they likely experienced the highest exposure levels.
