Evacuated Residents Fear Toxic Gas After Derailment

The Associated Press reports:

Days after crews released and burned toxic chemicals transported by a wrecked train in Ohio, residents remain concerned about the toxic substances that could be lingering in their evacuated neighborhoods. Vinyl chloride was slowly released into the air Monday from five of those cars before crews ignited it to get rid of the highly flammable, toxic chemicals in a controlled environment, creating a dark plume of smoke.

Residents in the immediate area there and nearby in Pennsylvania were evacuated beforehand because of health risks from the fumes and can’t yet return as the impact of burning vinyl chloride is a concern. Officials warned the controlled burn would send phosgene into the air. Phosgene is a highly toxic, colorless gas with a strong odor that can cause vomiting and breathing trouble and was used as a weapon in World War I.

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EXPLAINER: Toxic gases connected to Ohio train derailment https://t.co/YlJaypGHU9 #Health

— 8News WRIC Richmond (@8NEWS) February 8, 2023

Days after crews released and burned toxic chemicals transported by a wrecked train in Ohio, near the Pennsylvania border, residents remain in the dark about what toxic substances could be lingering in their evacuated neighborhoods. https://t.co/1TtpR8i3vB

— KYW Newsradio – NOW ON 103.9 FM! (@KYWNewsradio) February 8, 2023