Toxins from Ohio train derailment may have spread to 16 states, data shows

EAST PALESTINE, Ohio ( NewsNation ) — Three days after the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, 2023, officials — with the EPA’s blessing — burned 116,000 gallons of vinyl chloride.

Within minutes, a mushroom-like cloud of toxins billowed into the atmosphere and smothered the area.

Now, for the first time since the incident, new data reveals just how far those toxins spread.

New research on federal precipitation and pollution data shows 16 states from Wisconsin to North Carolina to Maine were impacted by the hazardous emissions that burned in East Palestine.

NewsNation has been committed to covering the fallout of the East Palestine train derailment over the last year. Here are the most recent updates:

• Ohio train derailment: Norfolk Southern, DOJ, EPA reach agreement
• Judge signs off on $600M Ohio train derailment settlement but residents still have questions
• Independent testing finds toxic chemicals in East Palestine home
• East Palestine residents condemn EPA after whistleblower claims
• EPA ‘failed to protect’ East Palestine residents: Whistleblower
• Norfolk Southern: Ohio derailment costs rise after $600M settlement
• East Palestine residents unhappy with Norfolk after settlement

Highest chloride levels in 12 years: Researcher

David Gay, a University of Wisconsin researcher and lead study author, said his research team detected some of the highest chloride levels they’ve ever recorded the week after the burn.

Gay and other researchers with the National Atmospheric Deposition Program, which has about 260 sites across the U.S. collecting rain and snow samples, analyzed the data and were shocked by the results.

“These were some of the highest, if not the highest, we had seen in the last 12 years,” Gay said. “That fire touched a lot of points in the Midwest and the Northeast. We’re all breathing the same atmosphere. That’s a take-home story.”

Gay confirmed it was because officials decided to burn 116,000 gallons of the vinyl chloride that researchers are detecting such high chloride levels in the atmosphere.

“When you combust vinyl chloride, the primary admission you get is chloride ion and hydrogen ion, which we measure as chloride ion and in our pH measurement. So yes, that chloride came from that combustion,” Gay told NewsNation.

Chloride levels were the highest in northern Pennsylvania and along the Canadian border; however, Gay said research on how it impacted Canada itself was not available.

Overall, researchers say they believe that in addition to Ohio, there was at least some impact across 15 states — Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia , Virginia , North Carolina, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine.

What happened in East Palestine?

On Feb. 3, 2023 , a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in the small Ohio community of East Palestine.

Some 1,500 residents were told to evacuate following the crash. Fearing an explosion , officials decided to vent and burn five tank cars, releasing 116,000 gallons of the carcinogen vinyl chloride into the air. Later, a toxic plume of smoke smothered the region.

However, three days later, the EPA said it had not detected contaminants at “levels of concern” and gave the all-clear for residents to return.

Since then, residents of East Palestine have complained of multiple health problems, including rashes and sickness. They’ve also criticized the government for downplaying their concerns that their community is no longer safe to live in.

Controlled burn was unnecessary: NTSB

In March, National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy testified before the Senate that the controlled burn and explosion set off in the wake of the derailment could have been avoided.

Several pieces of necessary information were not shared with state and local leaders who decided to vent and burn five tank cars after being advised by Norfolk Southern contractors at the scene of the crash that it was their only option.

“They were provided incomplete information to make a decision,” Homendy said.

An investigation by the NTSB found that Gov. Mike DeWine, East Palestine Fire Chief Keith Drabick and several other officials were told they had minutes to decide whether to vent the train cars or wait and risk an uncontrolled explosion.

“There was another option: Let it cool down,” she said.

The NTSB later showed the threat of explosion was diminished and that the tank cars were cooling when they decided to burn them.

Residents plagued with health issues

Initial Environmental Protection Agency and Norfolk Southern testing done at the derailment site showed the presence of dioxins , the most carcinogenic compounds on the planet, but officials did not test any of the residents’ health.

Independent testers who visited East Palestine examined the environment and people. Some tested the soil, others the water in local creeks and air filters in homes around the derailment site. The independent testing has shown evidence of toxins in the soil, air and water.

Residents have been diagnosed with the presence of vinyl chloride in their blood and complained of respiratory issues.

The NTSB is expected to hold its final hearing on the derailment next week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.