Ari Collins
eSomethin staff
On Feb. 3, 2023, a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. It was then discovered that many of the train cars were carrying hazardous, toxic materials that then caught fire at the site. The event is now considered a disaster, affecting air quality, water supply and agriculture in Ohio.
Some of the chemicals included Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, Ethylhexyl acrylate, Isobutylene, Butyl acrylate and, most importantly, vinyl chloride.
Vinyl chloride—also called vinyl chloride monomer or chloroethene—is the toxic chemical most are worrying about. While liquid versions of the chemical evaporate easily, possibly preventing it from affecting the water supply, the rapid evaporation is not necessarily positive. Evaporation of vinyl chloride puts it into the atmosphere where all residents risk inhaling it.
Exposure, by breathing or inhaling contaminated air, can cause dizziness and fainting. Long term exposure can cause larger problems. For example, vinyl chloride is carcinogenic: high exposure can cause liver cancer, brain and lung cancers and even lymphoma. In addition, the chemical can affect fetuses in pregnant people and can even cause death if the exposure is too prolonged.
In response to the leakage, authorities evacuated the area and burned some of the chemicals to get rid of them. In burning these chemicals, mainly vinyl chloride, other gases were produced and leaked into the atmosphere. Hydrogen chloride and phosgene are also toxic chemicals that can irritate those exposed. It is said that these gases are similar to mustard gas, which has a 2-3% fatality rate if exposed for long periods of time.
The air is so contaminated that animals are dropping dead just miles from the crash site. If the air and water is killing animals in mere days, what will happen to the residents of Ohio? What will happen to the environment?
Chemicals used to make PVC, including vinyl chloride, are considered most damaging to the environment. Chlorine-based toxins are building up in the atmosphere and they will continue destroying the ozone layer.
In addition, on Feb. 16, 2023, a second train fell off of its track in Detroit, MI. This train was similar to the train that derailed in East Palestine in that it was carrying hazardous materials. Although the car carrying the most hazardous chemicals was unaffected by the crash, it is still concerning due to its proximity to the Detroit River.
The Detroit River flows into Lake Erie. The Great Lakes cover over 94,000 square miles and hold 90% of the United States’ freshwater, approximately 20% of the world’s freshwater. If the hazardous material on the train had contaminated the river, a large source of freshwater could be completely out of order.
These train derailments are occurring quickly out of nowhere. They should not be taken lightly. They are serious events that are detrimental to the environment and the health of the population.
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