Wary Residents Return Home After Toxic Train Derailment

Wary Residents Return Home After Toxic Train Derailment
Neighbors gather outside a home in East Palestine, Pa., on Feb. 9, 2023. Gene J. Puskar/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:
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EAST PALESTINE, Ohio—Hours after being told she could go home for the first time since a train hauling chemicals derailed and later sent up a toxic plume near the Pennsylvania state line, Melissa Henry nervously walked inside her house.

First, she washed her sheets and pillow cases. Then she started throwing out everything left on her kitchen counters. She opened all of her windows too, hoping to air out whatever might have seeped inside while fearful of the air outside too.