3 Additional Chemicals Reported on Derailed Ohio Train

A Norfolk Southern manifest of the cargo on the freight train that derailed in Ohio found three additional chemicals aboard.

The recently disclosed chemicals are ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (harmful to the central nervous system, blood, kidneys and liver), ethylhexyl acrylate (associated with GI irritation and ulcers) and isobutylene (capable of causing headaches, dizziness, fatigue and, in high doses, coma and death).

ABC News notes:

A list of the cars that were involved in the derailment and the products they were carrying released by Norfolk Southern reveal several more toxic chemicals that were released into the air and soil following the crash.

The EPA says it hasn't detected any concerning levels of toxins. Though, it adds that anyone who experiences unexpected symptoms should call their medical provider. The six agency staffers and 16 contractors on-site have yet to screen every house in the rescinded evacuation zone.

Despite repeated reassurances, many remain concerned as reports of sickened and dead animals have gone viral.

Utility companies across a growing swath of the Ohio River Basin are monitoring their water quality closely.

Some local residents have gone public, saying they've felt sick since returning.

The crash nearly two weeks ago caused cars carrying hazardous substances, including vinyl chloride, a highly volatile colorless gas, to begin leaking immediately.

The wreck burned for days. Fearing a significant explosion, officials ordered the evacuation of a one-mile by two-mile area around East Palestine. Norfolk Southern Railroad initiated a “controlled release” of the chemicals by burning the affected cars. The release process caused an ominous plume of toxic chemicals to rise thousands of feet in the air.

Speaking to The Hill, Sil Caggiano, a hazardous materials specialist, compared what was done to nuking a small town with chemicals to reopen the railway:

Caggiano said ethylhexyl acrylate is especially concerning since it's a carcinogen and contact with it can cause burning and irritation of the skin and eyes. Breathing it in can irritate the nose and throat and cause coughing and shortness of breath.

…

“I was surprised when they quickly told the people they can go back home, but then said if they feel like they want their homes tested, they can have them tested. I would've far rather they did all the testing,” Caggiano said.

Caggiano says it's possible some of these chemicals could still be present in homes and on objects until you clean them thoroughly.

Officials insist the air is safe to breathe and water is safe to drink. Caggiano, and others, aren't so sure:

“There's a lot of what-ifs, and we're going to be looking at this thing five, 10, 15, 20 years down the line and wondering, ‘Gee, cancer clusters could pop up, you know, well water could go bad,'” Caggiano said.

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