Top Biden Official Admits It’s Hard to Trust Them Following Toxic Ohio Train Derailment
Thursday’s acknowledgment by the head of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that there is a problem with the agency’s environmental protection system was made by “lack of trust” Biden visited Ohio’s train wreckage site, where toxic chemicals were emitted or burned off, and residents fear for their safety and water.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan on Thursday traveled to the town of East Palestine, where he walked along a creek that still reeks of chemicals after the Feb. 3 derailment that caused a fire and sent a cloud of smoke over the town.
“This incident has understandably shaken this community to its core,” Regan spoke at a press conference.
Regan acknowledged that East Palestine residents had little trust in the government. However, he encouraged them to be confident in the EPA’s air screening and water testing in their homes, wells and municipal water systems.
He stated that nearly 500 homes were tested near the site of the derailment and that no trace of the toxic chemicals found on the train was in the air.
He added that water samples from municipal sources have also been tested and found no contamination.
Regan encouraged residents with private wells to continue to drink bottled water and have their wells tested.
Official: Wary locals, “trust the government” As he tried to reassure them, he said that water was safe for drinking and air is safe to breathe.
But he admitted that “that’s hard. We know that there is a lack of trust, which is why the state and the federal government have pledged to be very transparent.”
Locals Reports have been Pet owners and their livestock may have noticed symptoms such as vomiting or liquid diarrhea in their animals and pets.
Vinyl chloride was released from five rail cars. The chemical was then incinerated in a controlled burning to prevent an explosive explosion. Cancer The liver and the other organs.
The temporary evacuation was ordered by the authorities following the derailment of East Palestine’s 5,000 inhabitants.
According to the EPA, a February 16, 2009 update It had screened 486 houses and tested 28 private water wells. It advised that residents who are able to get water from their private wells should make an appointment to have their wells tested.
Trust the science, trust the ratings
A concerned resident asked Regan if he and the other officials would let their children drink the water from East Palestine.
“If those homes have been tested by the state and given a clean bill of health, yes, as a father, I trust the science,” Regan said.
“Based on the work that the state has done to test the water, the air and the water are safe for those residents that we have deemed being safe,” Regan said that encouraging such individuals to “come back” They will be returned to their homes.
He stated that those whose homes or wells are not tested should contact the EPA for them to be checked.
He insisted, however, that he would “trust the ratings.”
“If we say that the water is safe, and the air is safe, we believe it because we tested it and the data shows it,” Regan said.
Residents Report Symptoms
Some residents reported feeling dizzy and having headaches since the accident.
Regan stated that anyone suffering from an adverse reaction should see a doctor immediately.
“We ask that they contact the local and state health agencies because we want that information, we want to hear from people,” He stated.
He quickly added, however, that he believes in the safety of all areas tested and deemed safe by EPA.
“We believe that because the science and the data proves that,” He stated. “But that is not to discount any experience that any resident is having,” He concluded.
Questioned about reports “a lot” Regan reiterated his recommendation that residents seek medical attention if they have developed rashes.
Railroad ‘Absolutely’ Accountable
Norfolk Southern Railroad, the railroad responsible for the derailed train, has had at least five lawsuits filed. This week, the company announced that it will create a $1million fund to assist the community. It will also continue to monitor air quality and remove contaminants from groundwater streams.
Regan pledged to sue the company for the incident.
“We are absolutely going to hold Norfolk Southern accountable,” He stated.
A lawyer representing plaintiffs in one of these lawsuits It is alleged that Residents who were exposed to the toxic substances may be at risk. “already be undergoing DNA mutations.”
The lawsuit claims that vinyl chloride controlled burn-off caused the problem and sent dark smoke across the town.
“Residents exposed to vinyl chloride may already be undergoing DNA mutations that could linger for years or even decades before manifesting as terrible and deadly cancers,” John Morgan, attorney
The train operator has not yet filed a response to this complaint. However, it stated in a statement to The Epoch Times that it cannot comment on the pending litigation.
The Cause of the Derailment
The accident is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), using video footage Recently emerging This suggests that the train was on fire for some 20 miles before it crashed in East Palestine.
In its Latest update It has video that appears to show a wheel bearing heating up shortly before it was derail.
According to the NTSB, a complete investigation could take up 24 months. A preliminary report will be available in less than two weeks.
Pete Buttigieg, Transportation Secretary, said that more needs to be done for train safety.
Yahoo Finance reported that there are approximately 1,000 train derailments per year in the United States. This is a sign of a deteriorating economy. “need to continue to raise the bar on rail safety.”
Association of American Railroads stated that the NTSB should continue with its investigation of the derailment, before the Biden administration rushes into imposing new regulations.
Republican Senator Marco Rubio (R.Fla.), called on Buttigieg on Thursday to resign. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that President Joe Biden has resigned. “absolute confidence” The transportation secretary.
This report was contributed by Jack Phillips, Reuters and Reuters.
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