United States: the company must support the population after the derailment

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sent a letter to the CEO of Norfolk Southern on Sunday, warning that the freight rail company must “demonstrate unequivocal support for the people” of East Palestine, Ohio, and surrounding areas after a burning train. the derailment caused chemical releases and health problems among residents.

“Norfolk Southern must honor its commitment to all residents – and it must also honor its obligation to do whatever it takes to stop endangering communities like Eastern Palestine,” Buttigieg wrote. “Now is a good time for Norfolk Southern to take a leadership position within the rail industry, adopting a stance that focuses on supporting, not hindering, efforts to raise the bar for U.S. rail safety regulations.”

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Friday that chemicals dumped in the Ohio River no longer pose a risk, although people say they are suffering from constant headaches and eye irritation. State authorities plan to open a medical clinic in the town of 4,700 to test his symptoms, despite repeated claims that air and water tests showed no signs of contamination.

However, uncertainty remains about the consequences of a derailment that occurred about two weeks ago.

Peter DeCarlo, professor of engineering and environmental health at Johns Hopkins University, told ABC News on Sunday that more testing is needed to determine what chemicals are present.

“We just don’t have the information we need to understand what chemicals may be present,” DeCarlo said. “We know it started out as vinyl chloride, but as soon as it burns anything can happen. There are a lot of chemical by-products that can result from a combustion process like that.”

When asked if he would return to eastern Palestine if he was already living there, DeCarlo replied, “I have two young children. I will not do it.”

Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw released a statement on Saturday saying he had returned “to eastern Palestine to meet with local leaders, first responders and a group of Norfolk Southern employees who live in the region”.

“In every conversation today, I’ve shared how sorry I am that this happened to you,” Shaw added. The Atlanta-based company has created a website with up-to-date information, NSMakingItRight.com.

The transport secretary’s letter on Sunday appears to be a stern warning to Norfolk Southern, saying that “it is imperative that your company be unequivocal and direct in its commitment to caring for residents, now and in the future”.

Buttigieg said the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the derailment and the Federal Railroad Administration is also looking into whether any safety violations occurred and will hold Norfolk Southern accountable if they did.

The Environmental Protection Agency said the company must document the release of hazardous pollutants and explain its cleanup efforts.