Key takeaways:
- US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has urged Norfolk Southern to provide support for the people of East Palestine.
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has requested medical teams from the US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention and the US Department of Health to assess the dangers in the area.
- A health clinic will be opened in East Palestine on Tuesday to provide medical care and advice to those affected by the incident.
Residents of East Palestine, Ohio, a small community of less than 5,000 people, have expressed concerns about their health after a train carrying vinyl chloride derailed two weeks ago. The derailment caused a fire and the release of hazardous chemicals.
In response, US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg sent a letter Sunday to the CEO of Norfolk Southern, warning the freight rail company to “demonstrate unequivocal support for the people” of East Palestine and surrounding areas.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has requested medical teams from the US Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention and the US Department of Health to assess what dangers remain in the area. The Biden administration has deployed experts to help with the assessment.
In addition, a health clinic will be opened in East Palestine on Tuesday for residents concerned about possible symptoms related to the derailment. The clinic will provide medical care and advice to those affected by the incident.
Buttigieg also urged Norfolk Southern to “take a leadership position within the rail industry, shifting to a posture that focuses on supporting, not thwarting, efforts to raise the standard of U.S. rail safety regulation.”
The incident has caused anxiety among the residents of East Palestine, with reports of rashes, nausea and headaches. Officials have sought to assure residents that the water and air in the area are safe, but the clinic and expert assessment will help to further alleviate any worries.
Be First to Comment