Norfolk Southern Train Derailment

Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, have been allowed to return to their homes after a train derailment on Feb 3rd. 50 train cars derailed, 10 of which carried hazardous materials, causing a controlled release of toxic fumes on Feb 6th to prevent an explosion.

The cause of the derailment was due to a mechanical issue with a rail car axle. Five of the rail cars contained vinyl chloride which was unstable and at risk of exploding. To prevent this, a controlled release of the vinyl chloride was executed, releasing the gas into a trough that was then set on fire, resulting in a large plume above East Palestine.

Ohio and Pennsylvania's governors, Mike DeWine and Josh Shapiro, ordered the immediate evacuation of hundreds of residents within a 1-mile by 3-mile area surrounding East Palestine.

Residents who stayed in the area and inhaled the fumes faced death or serious injuries such as skin burns and lung damage. The EPA continues to monitor the air quality.