On Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, a train carrying hazardous materials derailed due to an overheated axle.
Toxic chemicals are now in the air in East Palestine and the officials need to take it more seriously. Thousands of animals have died and people are reporting illnesses as a direct result of the hazardous materials.
While East Palestine is far from Keene, we must hold the government accountable for the safety of the people. The government needs to treat the health of citizens as a top priority. A health crisis could happen in Keene and the government must take responsibility for it if it wants to be trusted.
There are very harmful chemicals in the air, water, and soil in East Palestine. Some of the residents do not feel they are safe.
Jessica Lynn, a resident of East Palestine, wrote for Newsweek, “Officials are telling us the area is safe to return to based on what, in my eyes, is very minimal research. Rather than erring on the side of caution, saying, ‘Hey, we’re actually not really sure yet,’ it feels as though they’re giving us answers that aren’t certain yet.”
Lynn went on to write in her article that she is concerned about the petroleum lube oil that seeped into the soil. The vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate in the air are also a concern to her.
She wrote that on Feb. 14, when she returned to East Palestine after an evacuation, that the smell of chemicals was overwhelming. “By the time we got back to our hotel room, my son was crying because his head hurt so much. He threw up twice. I had a headache that was so severe I felt like I was going to pass out. My face almost felt swollen, even though it wasn’t. At one stage in the shower, I became really dizzy and I had to sit down because I was worried I was going to fall over and hurt myself. I have a rash on both my arms,” Lynn wrote.
Chris Mueller and Eleanor McCrary from USA Today wrote, “The incident began shortly before 9 p.m. Feb. 3 when a Norfolk Southern train left the tracks while traveling from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania. A total of 38 cars derailed and a fire ensued, damaging another 12 cars, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. There were 20 cars carrying hazardous materials, 11 of which derailed.”
It is absolutely tragic that the train derailed in the first place. It is even worse that the citizens of East Palestine are suffering because of it.
Not just the people, but the animals in East Palestine are suffering, and even dying.
Paige Bennett from USA Today wrote, “Officials estimated 38,222 minnows and around 5,550 other species – such as other fish, crayfish and amphibians – were killed during the derailment. The deaths occurred in a five-mile span within the impact area.”
It is sad to see how many animals have died because of this, it is very shameful. What is also shameful is the way that the government officials downplay what has happened in the disaster.
The officials need to take better care of the residents and handle the situation better. The chemicals are still very harmful to the people in East Palestine. More needs to be done to help.
Nico Brazill can be contacted at
nbrazill@kscequinox.com
