“We basically nuked a town.”
On February 3rd, a freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. In the wake of the destruction, toxic fumes were released into the air, killing animals, and creating dangerous health conditions for the residents in the area.
From The Blaze:
According to National Transportation Safety Board member Michael Graham, the Norfolk Southern train was carrying 141 loaded cars, nine empty cars, and three locomotives. Around 50 cars went off the tracks.
Graham suggested that the suspected cause of the derailment was “mechanical issues on one of the railcar axles.”
A wheel bearing may have overheated, leading to a fire and, in turn, the derailment, reported WKBN.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette obtained a video that shows what appears to be sparks and flames beneath the train as it passed an equipment plant in Salem, Ohio, approximately 20 miles away from where the train ultimately went off the rails.
The thick column of smoke that darkened the sky above East Palestine after the derailment contained fumes from the toxic chemicals stored in the wrecked cars, such as vinyl chloride, hydrogen chloride, and phosgene.
First responders attempted a controlled release of the deadly toxic fumes, but it seems that strategy has resulted in a number of new headaches for local authorities; the health consequences from the release are significant.
According to The Blaze, “Silverado Caggiano, a hazardous materials specialist, told WKBN that ethylhexyl acrylate is a carcinogen that can cause burning and irritation in the skin and eyes, as well as breathing problems. He noted that isobutylene can also cause dizziness and drowsiness if inhaled.”
“We basically nuked a town with chemicals so we could get a railroad open,” Caggiano said.
Meanwhile, prominent conservative voices are wondering about the whereabouts of Secretary of Transportation Petet Buttigieg.
Buttigieg made no mention of the Ohio train derailment while speaking at a conference this morning but did find the time to say that there are too many white people who work construction. pic.twitter.com/q4WNcq10h9
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) February 13, 2023
The recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio is nothing short of a tragedy.
This is another transportation failure under Mayor Pete's leadership.
Where is he? https://t.co/WR6Lq5dtfs
— Rep Andy Biggs (@RepAndyBiggsAZ) February 13, 2023
Time to call in @PeteButtigieg for questioning for what is happened to the great people of Ohio train derailment & toxic chemical spill!
The media won't talk about this ecological disaster/public health crisis, but I will – and we *will* get answers
People’s lives are in danger! pic.twitter.com/X0mBWWzTBn— Anna Paulina Luna (@VoteAPL) February 13, 2023
More over at The Blaze:
'We basically nuked a town': Animals dying in Ohio after train derailment and controlled release of toxic chemicals https://t.co/jx01zsCOoF
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) February 13, 2023