US orders rail company to pay for toxic derailment cleanup

The government of USA ordered on Tuesday the railway company Norfolk Southern to cover the full cost of cleaning up the pollution caused by the derailment of a train carrying toxic products, threatening to make you pay”the triple” if it does not comply.

The accident occurred on February 3 in the town of east palestinein the state of Ohiocaused a huge fire and the release of toxic gases, including vinyl chloride, a carcinogenic and highly flammable chemical used in the manufacture of plastic.

LOOK HERE: Everything we know about a train derailment and the chemical alert it caused in Ohio

Several thousand residents were evacuated as authorities assessed the danger.

The Environmental protection agency of the United States (EPA, for its acronym in English) announced in a statement that it asked the Norfolk Southern “identify and clean up contaminated soil and water resources” and “reimburse EPA for cleanup services to be provided to residents and businesses to provide additional peace of mind”.

This is a legally binding order, he said.

The EPA said it will approve a plan detailing all the steps needed to clean up the environmental damage caused by the derailment.

“If the company does not carry out the actions ordered by the EPA, the agency will immediately intervene, perform the necessary work, and then seek to compel Norfolk Southern to pay triple the cost“, he claimed.

“Let me be clear: Norfolk Southern will pay to clean up the mess you created and the trauma you inflicted on this community.”, said the director of the EPA, Michael Reganquoted in the statement.

The President’s Administration Joe Biden has tried to calm things down after the accident, while residents of the area do not hide their anger and concern at the contamination and possible health consequences.

Some reported having various symptoms, including headaches, and said they feared developing cancer in a few years. Some 3,500 fish died in the surrounding waterways, according to the local natural resources agency.

MORE INFORMATION: What are the health dangers of vinyl chloride and other chemicals released after the train accident in Ohio

Authorities have said that the air is “sure” and that municipal system water tests have found no contaminants, but residents are skeptical and some have already sued the rail company.

The 150-car train was carrying cargo from Madison, Illinoisto Conway, Pennsylvaniawhen he went off the tracks.

The accident caused the derailment of 38 railcars, 11 of which were carrying hazardous materials including vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate and other chemicals, according to the National Transportation Safety Boardan independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating accidents in the United States.

Source: Elcomercio

jack

I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.