After train crash in Ohio: Four rivers contaminated with vinyl chloride

In early February, a train loaded with chemicals derailed in the northern US town of East Palestine.

After train crash in Ohio: Four rivers contaminated with vinyl chloride

In early February, a train loaded with chemicals derailed in the northern US town of East Palestine. To prevent an explosion, the authorities release toxic vinyl chloride - possibly with devastating consequences for flora and fauna in four watercourses.

Environmental damage is imminent following the derailment of a freight train loaded with hazardous chemicals in the US state of Ohio in early February. "Four 7.5 miles of watercourses are contaminated," Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz said at a news conference, according to a CNN report.

"We estimated approximately 3,500 dead fish in this area, streams, tributaries and waterways based on our sampling and modeling," Mertz said. None of the 12 affected species are endangered or threatened, but it is still a loss to wildlife.

About 50 wagons of the freight train, some of which were loaded with vinyl chloride and other chemicals, derailed on February 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. Several of the tankers caught fire. Because of the risk of an explosion, residents within a mile of the scene of the accident were asked to leave their homes. To prevent an explosion, local authorities decided to release the vinyl chloride.

That release was the source of the frightening black plumes in the air that have been sweeping social media, Ohio Senator J.D. Vance said in a statement on Twitter. But they have since disappeared. Now other questions, such as safety for the residents, are open. "This is a complex environmental catastrophe with impacts that are difficult to assess in the short term," said Vance.

East Palestine residents who have drinking water wells can request a test for contamination, according to the Ohio Department of Health. "We need to know what the level of groundwater contamination is, and private well testing gives us that information," explained Vance.

The US Environmental Protection Agency - EPA for short - also announced that state and local authorities are taking samples throughout the Ohio River "to ensure that drinking water abstraction points are not affected".