'It's downright criminal': Ohio couple, child diagnosed with respiratory infections after toxic train derailment
EAST PALESTINE, OHIO: A couple from East Palestine, Ohio, has spoken up about the issues they faced after a train crashed in the area earlier this month. As per reports, Chris and Jamie Wallace along with their three-year-old daughter suffered health-wise hours after nearly 50 cars of the 141-car Norfolk Southern train going towards Conway, Pennsylvania from Madison, Illinois derailed on February 3.
All of the coaches were carrying poisonous substances, which were handled in a "controlled burn", resulting in the release of vinyl chloride in the surroundings. It has been said that the disaster killed over 3,500 fish and numerous chickens.
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"It was about 1:30 am when we finally got out of there, and the adrenaline started to settle down. We were heading to stay at the hotel with her brother and his foster children for the night, and we started realizing that our breathing was labored. Just talking was harder for us," Chris Wallace said, according to Daily Mail.
Jamie explained, “'We were actually just diagnosed with upper respiratory infections. Which, ironically, I know a couple of people now that have been given that same diagnosis. Just a little suspicious now as to the timing of it. With the chemicals in the air.”
Some residents in East Palestine, Ohio, are experiencing various health issues after a train with hazardous materials derailed nearby. One family says they've now been diagnosed with upper respiratory infections. They join @BrianEntin on #CUOMO. pic.twitter.com/pgSFpw6ZyI
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) February 15, 2023
‘I knew something was different'
The family has reportedly shifted to a Holiday Inn in West Virginia after the crash. But on Tuesday, February 14, Jamie came back to her house to see if things were going to be okay soon. She stated, “I knew something was different when we left town and there was that chemical smell in your nose. As if you were in the bathroom, and cleaning with bleach, you know? And you walk out and still smell that bleach in your nose. That was the way you felt.”
She went on to explain, “You can feel that the air is a little bit heavier. Our air inspection came back good but I actually had to ask the railroad to come back and look at our house. The issue is that they are testing for the air. But they are not testing the soil or the water.” Jamie also noted that she saw “puddles of what looks like vegetable oil on top of the water, floating.”
‘It's downright criminal’
The woman also accused authorities of not giving out correct information. “The railroad sent their senior toxicologist today, to our house in particular, and they said the water was safe," she revealed. "I said, well, we haven't even seen the results of the water tests yet. He said they were coming. I asked about soil and he said the soil had not been tested yet.”
Her husband, Chris, also expressed his frustration as he asserted, “It just seems like everybody let us down. The only people who had our back and gave us support: the Holiday Inn in West Virginia has been very good to us, the way stations in the area. Obviously, our firefighters did everything they can. But nobody else is speaking out. Nobody is saying what's wrong. Everybody has rashes and respiratory infections. It's downright criminal.”
However, it’s not just Chris and Jamie, as others are also struggling. Jenna Giannios, 39, who lives in Boardman, told the publication, “They only evacuated one mile from that space, and that's just insane to me. I'm concerned with the long-term health impact. It's just a mess.”
Another local, Amanda Breshears, claimed her hens and roasters died soon after the derailed cars were destroyed. “I'm beyond upset and quite panicked, because they may be just chickens, but they're family. If it can do this to chickens in one night, imagine what it's going to do to us in 20 years,” she added.
‘No detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride'
Meanwhile, Regional Administrator Debra Shore said in a statement, “As of February 14, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has assisted with the screening of 396 homes under a voluntary screening program offered to residents, and no detections of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride were identified. 65 additional homes are scheduled for today. We are continuing to conduct 24/7 air-monitoring to ensure the health and safety of residents.”
“EPA Region 5 is also working closely with Ohio EPA to determine what impact the spill has had on surface and groundwater. State and local agencies are conducting sampling throughout the Ohio River to ensure drinking water intakes aren’t affected, and EPA is continuing to assist the state with sampling efforts at water treatment intake points along the Ohio River,” Shore added.