In the wake of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in 2023, residents are still grappling with concerns over the full extent of contamination and potential long-term health risks. The incident, which released a toxic cloud into the environment, has sparked debate about transparency in how the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports its data and the overall safety of the community. Despite the EPA’s reassurances, many locals and health experts remain skeptical, largely due to the way the agency handles and presents its test results. This lack of transparency has also become a focal point in ongoing legal proceedings, as residents seek compensation and clarity regarding the contamination's true extent.
The EPA’s Reporting Practices Raise Questions
A key issue in the ongoing controversy is how the EPA reports its findings. Since the derailment, the EPA has conducted tests to measure chemical contamination in soil, water, and air. However, these test results have been criticized for lacking detail, particularly when it comes to chemicals that fall below certain thresholds. According to an analysis by the Associated Press, the EPA does not provide specific measurements for chemicals that are present in quantities below a "reporting limit," which is a conservative estimate used to indicate the minimum amount of a chemical that can be detected accurately. This makes it difficult for residents and experts alike to assess the real level of contamination.
The EPA has stated that chemicals below this reporting limit should not be a cause for concern because they fall under the "human health screening level"—a threshold that indicates potential danger. However, health experts caution that these chemicals, especially when mixed together, could still pose risks, even at low levels. For residents in East Palestine, the lack of specific data on the contamination adds to the uncertainty. Krissy Ferguson, a local resident, expressed her frustration: "I used to feel like those were agencies to protect people, but I don’t feel like that anymore. They need to come forth and do the right thing. They know these chemicals just don’t go away."
Independent Testing Offers More Detailed Results
In contrast to the EPA’s data, independent testers and contractors hired by Norfolk Southern have provided more comprehensive results. Their reports include detailed information on chemical levels even when they are below the EPA’s reporting limit. These independent reports rely on a "method detection limit," a lower threshold that indicates the smallest amount of a chemical that can be reliably detected by a test. According to testing experts, it is standard practice to report any data above this method detection limit because the results are considered accurate.
This discrepancy in reporting raises further concerns. While the EPA has focused on levels that pose an "immediate threat" to human health, it has not explained why it does not provide the same level of detail as independent testers. For many residents, this lack of transparency is troubling. Christina Siceloff, another East Palestine resident, asked, "Why don’t they just straight tell people what the truth is? Do they not think we can handle it?"
Health Concerns Persist
Although the EPA maintains that contamination levels are not high enough to warrant alarm, residents are still reporting a range of health problems. Since the derailment, some locals have experienced respiratory issues, rashes, hair loss, nosebleeds, and asthma. There has also been at least one reported case of male breast cancer, which required a double mastectomy. While the EPA’s human health screening levels are based on short-term exposure, health experts argue that prolonged exposure to even low levels of chemicals can lead to serious health issues.
Dr. Beatrice Golomb, a medical researcher at the University of California San Diego, emphasizes the potential risks of long-term exposure to low levels of chemicals. She also highlights the uncertainty surrounding the health impacts of exposure to a mixture of chemicals, particularly those created by the burning of hazardous materials like vinyl chloride during the cleanup effort. "Even when there is a standard for exposure to a single chemical, there is no good research establishing what it would mean to be exposed to a mixture of chemicals," she said.
The exact composition of the chemical mixture released during the derailment remains unclear. Officials burned several tank cars filled with hazardous chemicals to prevent an explosion, but this action also created new, potentially dangerous substances. The long-term health implications of exposure to this chemical cocktail remain unknown, further fueling concerns among residents.
Legal Battle Over $600 Million Settlement
As residents continue to grapple with these health concerns, they are also navigating the legal aftermath of the derailment. A $600 million class-action settlement proposed by Norfolk Southern is currently under consideration by a federal judge. The settlement would provide compensation to residents living within 20 miles of the derailment site, with households within a 2-mile radius eligible for up to $70,000 for property damage and up to $25,000 for health-related issues. However, some residents believe the settlement should not be approved until more information is available about the true extent of the contamination.
Lawyers representing the residents argue that without full disclosure of test results, including those conducted by independent experts like Stephen Petty, it is impossible to know whether the compensation is fair. Petty, a forensic engineering expert hired to assess the contamination, has stated that the EPA’s reports are misleading. "When the EPA reports it couldn’t detect any results, they’re implying that they’re small or not useful. But that’s not true," he said. Petty’s own test results remain confidential due to the terms of the settlement agreement, but residents are pushing for the court to release this information.
The outcome of the legal proceedings will likely hinge on whether the judge believes the settlement offers adequate compensation for residents based on the available data. Lawyer Dan Abraham, who represents some of the residents objecting to the deal, argues that the settlement should not be approved until more detailed information is made available. "The lack of transparency in the EPA’s data could have a significant impact on whether the settlement is ultimately approved," he said.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
The situation in East Palestine highlights the challenges of navigating environmental disasters, particularly when it comes to transparency and accountability. For residents, the ongoing lack of clarity from the EPA has created a deep sense of mistrust, compounded by health concerns and a pending legal settlement that some believe does not go far enough.
As the legal battle continues and the community works to recover, one thing is clear: the need for clear, detailed, and honest communication from the agencies tasked with protecting public health. Without it, residents will continue to feel unsafe in their homes, unsure of the true risks they face. The broader implications of the derailment—and the way it has been handled—should serve as a wake-up call for how environmental crises are managed and communicated to the public.
In the long term, residents and experts alike will be watching closely to see how the EPA, Norfolk Southern, and the courts handle the aftermath of this disaster. For now, the people of East Palestine are left to wonder whether they have been given the full picture, and what that might mean for their health and their future.