Ohio Governor Requests Federal Disaster Declaration Over East Palestine Train Derailment

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is urging President Biden to declare issue a Major Presidential Disaster Declaration over the catastrophic train derailment in East Palestine. The declaration would open the door to increased federal aid and additional resources needed to help with the cleanup.

The small community continues to deal with health and environmental impacts of the Norfolk Southern train derailment on February 3. Monday had been set as the deadline for DeWine to make the request.

“The possibility remains that the voluntary support provided by Norfolk Southern could at some point in the future cease, and this declaration is needed to ensure that the state and federal government use all resources available to step in and provide the community with needed assistance,” DeWine wrote in a letter addressed to President Biden.

DeWine stated that FEMA assistance may be needed if Norfolk Southern’s assistance tapers off or ceases entirely.

“Because of the unique nature of this incident, the state is still working to identify current needs and evaluate the future impacts this disaster will have on individuals and the community,” the Ohio governor wrote. “The incident had immediate physical and mental health effects on the community, and the Ohio Department of Health engaged with the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a clinic in the community. However, the long-term health impacts are unknown. In addition to the physical and mental health impacts, there have been economic impacts. Homeowners and businesses have seen property value decline and loss of business as people are hesitant to come into the community.”

President Biden promised to visit East Palestine about a week after the derailment, though he has yet to do so.

Environmental Protection Agency Chief Michael Regan became the first federal official to visit the site on in late February. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg also visited the town on February 23.

The February 3 derailment spilled several carloads of vinyl chloride to spill out into the surrounding area and waterways. Officials soon made the decision to burn off the spillage, resulting in a massive toxic cloud that could be seen for miles.

“There’s been a lot of nebulous discussion about testing and safety and following the science, but there’s actually no cohesive explanation about what they did, why they did it and what they’re doing now,” Andrew Whelton, a professor of environmental and ecological engineering at Purdue University, told NBC News.

“Dioxins are heavy compounds that like to stick to stuff,” Whelton continued. “Dioxins typically stick to the particulate matter that was created during the burn, and then can settle on to people’s properties or brought into their homes. And they can be quite toxic if ingested and inhaled.”

In some cases, Whelton said, these harmful compounds can be present in homes or other environments for decades.