Ohio residents still unable to fully return home; potential explosion concern remains

WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP, Ohio ( WDTN ) — One day after a toxic chemical was released from a train car in Hamilton County, a portion of residents are still unable to return home by themselves.

Hamilton County Emergency Management and Homeland Security updated the public at noon on Wednesday saying an evacuation remains in effect for a 0.5 mile radius of the area of U.S. 50, S.R. 128 and Valley Junction Road.

HCEM confirmed Styrene gas was noticeably leaking from a rail car on Tuesday, Sept. 24, but has stopped as of 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 25. Officials are reportedly monitoring the temperature of the sole rail car, as all other cars have been removed from nearby.

The concern of a potential explosion from the remaining car lingers.

“In addition, there is the potential for an explosion to occur and the evacuation order will remain in place until first responders are confident the area is safe,” said HCEM.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes Styrene as toxic and colorless with a “sweet smell.” A common way of being exposed to Styrene is inhalation, according to the CDC.

Just before 1 p.m. on Sept. 24, dispatchers received a call claiming Styrene was leaking. First responders were reportedly sent to the area, and an evacuation order was issued for people within a half-mile of the area.

A shelter-in-place order was enacted for those 0.75 miles from the evacuation area, but has since been lifted. Businesses and schools in the immediate area were shut down after the incident and remain closed.

Residents within the evacuation area are asked to call 211 to learn how to temporarily return home to retrieve essential medication and pets.

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