Analysis Shows High Levels of , Hazardous Chemicals , Following East Palestine Derailment.
NBC reports that a team of scientists discovered high
levels of a chemical irritant near the site where a Norfolk
Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in February. .
NBC reports that a team of scientists discovered high
levels of a chemical irritant near the site where a Norfolk
Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in February. .
Following the derailment, a team from Carnegie
Mellon and Texas A&M universities searched
the area for harmful levels of air pollution. .
A primary concern was vinyl chloride, which the train
operator intentionally burned following the derailment
and health experts raised alarms about.
A primary concern was vinyl chloride, which the train
operator intentionally burned following the derailment
and health experts raised alarms about.
Weeks after the crash, acrolein was detected near
the derailment site up to six times higher than levels
recorded prior to the incident, according to the study.
Local residents had been told it was
safe to return home on February 8
by both local and federal officials. .
Local residents had been told it was
safe to return home on February 8
by both local and federal officials. .
Researchers warn that long-term
exposure to high levels of acrolein
could be a health concern. .
NBC reports that low levels of acrolein
exposure can result in slow breathing and
a burning sensation in the nose and throat. .
Long-term exposure in animals results
in damage to the lining of the lungs,
abnormal lesions and nasal tumors. .
Researchers were reportedly surprised
by the findings, as acrolein was not among the
chemicals spilled or burned after the derailment.
Researchers were reportedly surprised
by the findings, as acrolein was not among the
chemicals spilled or burned after the derailment.
While researchers have yet to determine how acrolein
was present at the site, they believe it could have
been a byproduct of other spilled chemicals mixing.