By Sterling Mosley. Media: DC Enquirer.
Note: This article may contain commentary reflecting the author’s opinion.
As the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio catches the attention of the national press, two other train derailments in other parts of the country have also occurred, one of which includes hazardous material.
On Monday, officials in Enoree, South Carolina are responding to a train derailment, according to Fox Carolina.
Additionally, a train derailed in Splendora, Texas near Houston leading to the death of a truck driver and the derailment of several cars, according to Houston Public Media.
The crash took place at approximately 7:30 a.m. when a Union Pacific train collided with an 18-wheeler.
According to a Union Pacific official, over 100 gallons of diesel fuel were released by the truck following the crash. Union Pacific dispatched a hazard team to assess the damage
“From what we’re being told and shown, there’s no major chemicals to be concerned about,” Teller said. “It’s more so household chemicals on board for retail purposes. It’s not a large quantity from what we’re being told.”
Both of these train derailments come as the East Palestine incident has led to potentially hazardous chemicals seeping into the Ohio River, as previously reported by the DC Enquirer.
According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Greater Cincinnati Water Works is collecting water samples from the Ohio River after it was assessed that “low levels of butyl acrylate were detected in samples of the Ohio River.”
In addition to the release of butyl acrylate, the train also contained vinyl chloride which can cause significant damage to humans if breathed in or digested.
Documentation from the New Jersey Department of Health dating to the Paulsboro, New Jersey Derailment incident of 2012 lays out the hazards of vinyl chloride.
- “Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas. It has a mild, sweet odor. It is a manufactured substance that does not occur naturally. Vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC). PVC is used to make a variety of plastic products, including pipes, wire and cable coatings, and packaging materials.”
- “When it is breathed in, vinyl chloride is absorbed through the lungs into your bloodstream and is circulated throughout the body. Once in the body, your liver changes it into several substances. Most of these new substances also travel in your blood; once they reach your kidneys, they leave your body in your urine. Most of the vinyl chloride and the new substances are gone from your body within a day after you breathe it in. However, some of the new substances react in the liver and, depending on how much vinyl chloride you breathe in, may produce damage there. “
Professor Kevin Crist, the director of Ohio University’s Air Quality Center told ABC News. “Breathe those in under heavy concentrations, and it’s really bad for you,” Crist advised. “It’s like an acid mist. It’s not something that you want to be around in high concentrations.”
“New reports indicate deadly vinyl chloride has contaminated the Ohio River as far as West Virginia, a water source for over 5 million!” wrote Steve Peters, adding, “10% of the U.S. population, over 30 MILLION PEOPLE, live in the Ohio River Basin!”
CATASTROPHIC!
10% of the U.S. population, over 30 MILLION PEOPLE, live in the Ohio River Basin!
The Ohio River itself provides drinking water to over 5 MILLION PEOPLE! pic.twitter.com/DE3fNweEro
— Stew Peters (@realstewpeters) February 13, 2023
BREAKING: New reports indicate deadly vinyl chloride has contaminated the Ohio River as far as West Virginia, a water source for over 5 million! pic.twitter.com/tEkGArIEUd
— Stew Peters (@realstewpeters) February 13, 2023
With now multiple train derailments taking place across the country, a question arises of whether or not this is a mere coincidence or if Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg has overlooked a critical failure in America’s rail system. Hopefully, Congress will be able to investigate these matters in the coming weeks and provide answers to the public.
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