A train in East Palestine, Ohio was derailed by a mechanical issue with a rail car axle and sent into flames Friday afternoon, January 3rd, 2023.
The sky was filled with black clouds as authorities monitored the situation. They decided to do a controlled release of the gas from the train to prevent explosions. Police knocked on the doors of Ohio residences close to the scene about an hour after the derailment, asking them to evacuate for their safety.
On Sunday, January 5th, 2023, there was a forced evacuation issued after a temperature increase in the train. Families in East Palestine gathered their bags and were to be arrested if they didn't evacuate. Schools in the area have been temporarily closed and no one can return until further notice.
There were no reported injuries or deaths from the derailment but if people don’t evacuate in time, according to Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine it is a threat to one’s life and people could face “severe injury … including skin burns and serious lung damage.”
Monday, authorities decided to do a controlled release in fear of an explosion. An hour before the controlled release, they told everyone in the danger zone of the crash to evacuate and knocked on the doors of residences to make sure they had gone.
According to CNN, “the evacuation zone surrounding the fiery derailment expanded to two states” and shows how impactful the release of these toxins would be to people even relatively close.
One of the reasons evacuation was so imminent was the presence of certain chemicals on the train. Five of the cars were transporting vinyl chloride in them, which is highly chemical.
However, the controlled release is even more toxic and has a more serious threat. When the chemicals from the train interact with the air phosgene and hydrogen chloride are released. Phosgene is a very toxic chemical used during WWI that makes people vomit and lose their breath.
The evacuation is a very serious issue, and people who are unaware of the effects, or were not reached by the police may be affected by the derailment and the controlled release.
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