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'Cancer clusters could pop up': Ohio villagers fear to return home after train wreck releases chemicals despite officials saying it's safe

East Palentine residents said that the smell still lingers in the area and claim they've had symptoms which include trouble breathing and burning eyes

EAST PALESTINE, OHIO: Residents in an Ohio village were forced to evacuate after a freight train exploded and released huge clouds of toxic gases following its derailment on Friday, February 3. Nearly two weeks later, the local residents are still in fear that they could be in potential danger despite the authorities repeatedly telling them it's safe to return home. 

About 50 cars, including 10 carrying dangerous materials, derailed in a fiery crash in East Palestine at about 9 pm. Vinyl chloride, a chemical that increases a person's risk of developing cancer, was slowly released from five of those cars, and nearby houses were emptied to avoid any further damage. The authorities then ignited the gases for a "controlled release" of the highly flammable, toxic chemicals in a controlled environment, creating a dark cloud of smoke.

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What did the officials say?

Officials said the controlled ignition would send phosgene and hydrogen chloride into the air. Phosgene, which was used during World War I, is a highly toxic colorless gas with a strong odor that can cause vomiting and breathing trouble. Officials, however, insisted that it is safe for the residents to return to their homes which were evacuated just days earlier. 

What did the experts say?

A hazardous materials specialist and former fire department chief, Sil Caggiano, said he was "surprised" to see that all the residents were told to return to their homes before all of their residences were properly tested. "I would've far rather they did all the testing [first]," he said according to Daily Mail. "There's a lot of what ifs, and we're going to be looking at this thing 5, 10, 15, 20 years down the line and wondering, 'Gee, cancer clusters could pop up, you know, well water could go bad." He added, "We basically nuked a town with chemicals so we could get a railroad open."

Several East Palentine residents are skeptical of returning to their homes as they claim that they haven't been given sufficient information or safety assurances. Some alleged that the smell still lingers in the area and claim they've had symptoms which include trouble breathing and burning eyes. Dead fish were spotted in waterways around the scene after the incident.

The rail operator, Norfolk Southern, has been hit with four lawsuits including one which alleges the derailment was caused by negligence. That suit is demanding medical monitoring and more, alleging that residents were subject to toxic fumes and substances.

The US Environmental Protection Agency speaks out

James Justice, of the US Environmental Protection Agency, said that samples were collected by a network of air station monitors inside and outside the evacuation zone. He said that there is nothing to worry about as none of their readings found anything to be concerned about. "We want to make sure that's not going to change," he said. Justice said that before reopening the evacuation zone, the agency is still working with experts to determine safe levels for various gases. 

National Guard members wearing protective gear are taking readings inside homes, basements, and businesses. The EPA is now waiting for results after they sampled nearby rivers to determine whether there has been any water contamination.