A map shows two areas affected by a burn off of chemicals from a train derailment in East Palestine|Ohio Governor’s Office
Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, are contemplating returning home after cars of a freight train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in the area on February 3, prompting an evacuation.
Residents woes
The town of 4,700 residents was asked to return to their homes last week, but they are worried about toxic fumes in the air, soil and water even after the cleanup.
To add to their woes, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources estimates 3,500 small fish have died in the surrounding 7.5 miles due to the chemical spill from the derailment.
The measures
Around 20 cars out of the 150-car train contained chemicals like vinyl chloride, which is extremely combustible. To avoid an explosion, railroad and state authorities began a controlled burn of the chemicals on February 6.
The freight train was operated by Norfolk Southern that screened nearly 290 homes on Monday. The freight railroad affirmed the air was clean and had no traces of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride, which can cause life-threatening respiratory issues.