Indiana Congressman Calls for Immediate Halt of Hazardous Shipments From Ohio Derailment

Rep. Jim Baird, R-Ind. Rep. Jim Baird (R-Ind.) urged the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to stop the transport of contaminated materials immediately from the East Palestine train derailed to a Roachdale facility.

“Last week, our state was blindsided by the announcement that the EPA would be relocating hazardous materials from the East Palestine train derailment to Roachdale,” Baird stated that in a statement. “Hoosiers deserve to know exactly what’s happening in their own backyard, and until we have full transparency and proper oversight, I am respectfully asking IDEM to halt further transportation of hazardous materials to our state.”

Baird expressed concern about potential threats to the environment and public safety in a letter to Brian Rockensuess (IDEM Commissioner). The 400-mile journey would likely see the contaminated material travel through Indianapolis and Ohio.

Baird criticized EPA for failing to inform elected officials about shipments in advance, despite promises. He demanded the Roachdale facility stop shipping until two conditions were met.

First, Norfolk Southern, the EPA and IDEM must openly disclose all chemical testing that was done on the material transported to Roachdale. He said that enough oversight of the company that transports and disposes of the contaminated material should be established.

The congressman noted that it was revealed during a town forum in Putnam County that three truckloads of the material had already arrived in Roachdale, and four more were expected to arrive soon.

“On the day of the surprise announcement, I made clear that blindsiding Hoosiers by rushing contaminated material across state lines is risky and irresponsible,” He wrote (pdf).

EPA Recommends Testing for Dioxins Before Shipping

After Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb objected to the shipments earlier this week, he revealed on Friday night that the EPA has now “provided us a written commitment” Any further shipment of contaminated material will be tested to determine if it contains dioxins.

“This is the right decision and I applaud the EPA for taking this important step. As for the materials that are already enroute prior to the EPA announcement, our teams have been working with the third-party lab to expedite the testing of those truck loads which should bear detailed results sometime early next week,” Holcomb wrote Follow us on Twitter. 

He stated that samples would be taken Saturday morning and then tested at Pace Laboratory the following day.

“The site operator is supportive of this testing and has been cooperative in helping us carry this out,” Holcomb wrote: Promised to openly and transparently share all results with the public They will be available as soon as possible.

The EPA will be open on Thursday ordered Norfolk Southern freight train operator will test for dioxins, after it burned toxic cargo from its derailment train last month.

Dioxins, a group of chemically related compounds known as persistent environment pollutants, are one example. They are common chemicals found in the world’s environment, such as coal and wood burning.

The toxic substance can be stored in the body’s fat tissue for an extended time and can cause reproductive and developmental problems, immune system damage, hormone interference, and cancer.

Holcomb stated that a third party informed him of the shipments Monday and he directed Rockensuess, Rockensuess, to contact the EPA. He also asked for an EPA administrator.

“The materials should go to the nearest facilities, not moved from the far eastern side of Ohio to the far western side of Indiana,” Holcomb made the statement in a statement Tuesday.

The Indiana Capital Chronicle previously reported that IDEM officials had told the outlet the agency didn’t have regulatory authority “to prevent hazardous waste disposal facilities from accepting materials for which they are permitted to handle and dispose.”

The Epoch Times reached IDEM to request comment.