East Palestine train derailment polluted 16 states

A study revealed that a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023 led to pollution spreading across 16 states, affecting an area of 540,000 square miles. The accident involved a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous materials, including vinyl chloride. The chemicals released during a controlled burn after the crash caused low concentrations of pollutants to rain down from South Carolina to Wisconsin to New England. While closer residents reported symptoms like rashes and nausea, the pollutants were not considered toxic at farther distances. The pollutants, including chloride and hydrogen ions, were carried by the wind and deposited on the ground, affecting marine and plant life. The study's lead author, David Gay, highlighted the unusual high concentrations of pollutants compared to normal levels. Experts expressed concerns about the long-term impacts of such environmental exposures on communities. The pollutants dissipated within a few weeks after the accident, but the study emphasized the need to monitor and understand the consequences of such incidents.