On Saturday afternoon, a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in the Springfield, Ohio, area, prompting a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents. No injuries were reported and there were no hazardous materials aboard the train. The cause of the derailment is still under investigation and Norfolk Southern is working with local authorities to assess the situation and ensure the safety of the community.
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A team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University and Texas A&M conducted air monitoring to test for chemical contamination after a train derailment and chemical fire in East Palestine, Ohio. The researchers found levels of acrolein that could pose longer-term concern and have urged the EPA to continue to monitor the area and provide resources to the community. They hope their findings will help to ensure the safety of the residents.
Retired Army Col. Paris Davis is set to receive the Medal of Honor for his service in the Vietnam War, nearly 60 years after the attack. During the 19-hour firefight, Davis was shot multiple times but continued to fight and protect his fellow soldiers. His story is a testament to the courage and strength of all who served in the Vietnam War.
Residents of East Palestine, Ohio are still feeling the effects of a train derailment that occurred nearly a month ago, with reports of illnesses and distress in the community. At a town forum on Thursday, residents confronted the railroad’s operator, Norfolk Southern, demanding to know if they would be relocated from their homes. Norfolk Southern has not yet commented on the possibility of relocating residents, but the town forum provided a chance for residents to voice their concerns and demand action.
The EPA has announced that Norfolk Southern will be required to test the site of a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio for dioxins and to conduct a background study comparing dioxin levels in the area to other areas. If dioxins that pose an unacceptable risk to human health and the environment are found, the EPA will order an immediate cleanup of the area. Residents in the area have reported illnesses they believe stem from the crash and the EPA has said it will oversee any possible cleanup.
The US Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) has issued an advisory urging freight rail companies to inspect protective coverings over pressure relief valves in the wake of a February 3 train derailment in Ohio. This advisory follows the release of a toxic chemical and ongoing cleanup efforts, as well as concerns from area residents about air and drinking water safety. The PHMSA hopes to ensure that freight rail companies are taking the necessary safety measures to protect the public from any potential risks.
Twelve railroad unions met with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Federal Railroad Administration Administrator Amit Bose to discuss the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio and the need for improved safety measures. The unions reported that many workers have fallen ill at the derailment site, and Mike Baldwin, president of the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, called for stakeholders to work together to ensure the safe transportation of hazardous materials. The Biden administration is prioritizing safety in the rail industry, and this meeting is a step in that direction.
Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) have introduced the Railway Safety Act of 2023, a bipartisan bill that would increase safety requirements and inspections for trains carrying hazardous materials, require two-person crews, and levy heightened fines for rail carriers' wrongdoing. The bill is in response to a derailment last month in East Palestine, Ohio, and is expected to be voted on in the coming weeks.