The fallout over a train derailment in Ohio continues to mount, The Hill reported. The EPA released more details on Monday on what other chemicals were on board the train.
The EPA said it found thylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate, and isobutylene. Ethylhexyl acrylate is another carcinogen and can cause burning and irritation on the skin. Breathing it in can also cause coughing and shortness of breath. Isobutylene could also cause dizziness and drowsiness.
A Norfolk Southern train derailed on Feb. 3 in the town of East Palestine, Ohio.
The derailment of about 50 cars carrying dangerous chemicals turned into a massive fire.
Shortly after, the approximately 5,000 residents of the eastern town near the Pennsylvania border were ordered to evacuate.
Officials carried a “controlled release” of the chemicals in order to avoid a bigger explosion with disaster-movie levels of billowing smoke.
On Feb. 8, residents were given the ‘ok’ to come back, with authorities saying the air and water levels were no longer a threat.
The dangers of the chemicals are enormous.
Some of the cars were said to be filled with vinyl chloride, a chemical which, upon burning, would send harmful gasses such as hydrogen chloride and phosgene into the air.
Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas that’s flammable that’s mostly used for commercial purposes such as plastics for pipes and wires.
The CDC says that long-term exposure to the gas can cause an increased risk of liver, brain, and lung cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia.
Residents are distraught. Some do not want to return because they believe it remains unsafe. Others who have returned reported feeling sick. And people have also seen the wildlife taking a hit.
A specialist is also sounding the alarm, saying the Ohio town was “basically nuked” with chemicals just to keep the railroad open.
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