EPA Chief: Norfolk Southern Will ‘Absolutely’ Be Held Accountable for Ohio Chemical Spill

A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, on Feb. 6, 2023. (Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo)

Nearly two weeks after the derailment of a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio, leaked hazardous chemicals into the surrounding city, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan promised residents that the railway company would “absolutely” be held accountable.

“Let me be clear: EPA will exercise our oversight and our enforcement authority under the law to be sure we are getting the results that the community deserves and in coordination with the state,” Regan said at a Thursday, Feb. 16, press conference.

“We will be here as long as it takes to ensure the health and safety of the community,” he added.

In the wake of the Feb. 3 derailment, many East Palestine residents—of which there are more than 4,700—have reported mysterious animal illnesses and deaths and strange weather phenomena, including an “acid mist.”

On Tuesday, Tiffani Kavalec, chief of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency Division of Surface Water, confirmed that a “plume” of chemicals was also moving downstream in the Ohio River.

Authorities in the area have received backlash for their decision to burn off the leaked chemicals—which included highly toxic vinyl chloride, hydrogen chloride, and other hazardous materials—in a controlled burn that released thick, black clouds into the air.

But despite community members’ concerns about potential health impacts, Regan said Thursday that testing had revealed the air was safe to breathe.

“Since the fire went out, EPA air monitoring has not detected any levels of health concern … that are attributed to the train derailment,” he said, noting that the agency had tested the air quality of more than 480 homes and other sources before reaching that conclusion.

Adding that air monitoring would continue around the clock, Regan said the results from the state’s water testing were still pending and advised residents to use bottled water for the time being.

Also acknowledging that some residents might be skeptical of results that say their air or water is safe, the EPA chief said that, were he in their position, he would trust those readings.

Nevertheless, Regan did not rule out the possibility of negative health effects.

“For those who are experiencing some kind of adverse health reaction, we ask that they please seek medical attention,” he said. “Also, we ask that they contact their local and state health agencies because we want that information, we want to hear from people.”