They can go home but many prefer to wait. Residents of a U.S. community where a train carrying chemicals derailed should drink bottled water, local authorities advised Wednesday, amid growing concern about the health and environmental consequences of the crash.
On February 3, this derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, caused a huge fire and the evacuation of several hundred people. Among other things, the train was carrying vinyl chloride, a carcinogenic and highly flammable chemical used in the manufacture of plastic.
Railroad authorities then proceeded with "controlled" releases of vinyl chloride "to avoid a possible explosion" according to the Ohio governor's office, releasing toxic fumes into the air.
The air, however, is "safe," Governor Mike DeWine told CNN on Wednesday based on air quality tests. But on water, "as a precaution, we told people, 'yes, use bottled water. Don't take any chances, wait until we have the test results," he said.
3,500 dead fish
The day before, Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff had called on residents with private wells to test their water, also recommending that residents consider drinking bottled water for now.
On February 8, authorities announced that evacuated residents could return to their homes "safely."
However, questions are mounting around the consequences of the derailment and residents have expressed their concern. Some 3,500 fish have died, according to the local Department of Natural Resources.
The U.S. Transportation Accident Investigation Agency (NTSB) said its investigation into the cause of the derailment was ongoing. Governor DeWine promised to "hold Norfolk Southern Railway" accountable. She "should pay for everything," he said. "They are responsible for what happened."
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