Over the weekend, Ohio Senators JD Vance (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) worked together to send a letter to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – both at the federal and state level – requesting that the agencies provide their plans to monitor East Palestine and surrounding areas for dioxins following the February 3rd derailment of a Norfolk Southern train.
Dioxins are “highly toxic and can cause cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, damage to the immune system, and can interfere with hormones,” according to the EPA.
One way dioxins are produced is through burning – which took place in East Palestine on February 6th when authorities ordered a controlled burn to prevent an explosion of toxic chemicals aboard the derailed locomotive.
“The combustion of vinyl chloride can lead to the formation of dioxins…We are concerned [that] the burning of large volumes of vinyl chloride may have resulted in the formation of dioxins that may have been dispersed throughout the East Palestine community and potentially a much larg[er] area,” Senators Vance and Brown wrote in their letter to the Ohio EPA and the U.S. EPA.
“We urge OEPA and U.S. EPA to act immediately to coordinate and ensure regular testing and monitoring for dioxins remains a priority moving forward. This monitoring should not only be a part of a long-term strategy, it should be implemented immediately and communicated to the local community to ensure transparency,” the senators concluded.
Thousands of local residents were evacuated from their homes before the release of toxic chemicals to prevent an explosion at the derailment site. Despite the lifting of the evacuation order, residents of the area remain concerned about the air and water quality and have reported feeling ill.
Tuesday through Saturday this week, @OHdeptofhealth will open a temporary health clinic in East Palestine to answer medical questions & concerns related to the Norfolk Southern train derailment.
Call 234-564-7755 or 234-564-7888 to make an appointment.https://t.co/a1fLtFa7K8
— Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) February 20, 2023
In response to ongoing reports of illnesses from residents following the train derailment and controlled burn, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) – in partnership with the Columbiana County Health Department and with support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services – will open a Health Assessment Clinic at noon on Tuesday, February 21st through Saturday, February 25th.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Ohio Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “J.D. Vance” by United States Congress. Photo “Sherrod Brown” by U.S. Senate Photographic Services. Background Photo “Men in Hazmat Suits” by Defense Visual Information Distribution Service.
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