An Ohioan visibly frustrated with the response to the toxic train derailment in eastern Palestine on February 3 told city officials at a town hall scheduled Wednesday: “That’s not why we came here,” prompting a change in the format of the meeting.
The resident seemed frustrated by the town’s decision to change the Wednesday town hall to an open house format instead of a question-and-answer session. After the resident’s outburst, the mayor agreed to do a question-and-answer session.
“Everyone who came here expected a lot more than what we’re getting now,” the resident said.
Representative Bill Johnson, R-Ohio, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, US Environmental Protection Agency, Columbiana County Health District, Columbiana County EMA, Ohio EMA, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Department of Agriculture and East Palestine had tables set up at the event.
OHIO CONGRESSIVE SLAMS ‘BLAME GAME’ AFTER BUTTIGIEG PASSES BUCK ON WASTEED TRAIN IN EAST PALESTINE
A large column of smoke billows over East Palestine, Ohio, after a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains on Monday, February 6, 2023. About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a clash of fire Federal investigators say a mechanical problem with a railcar axle caused the derailment. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
A train with 50 carriages, 10 of which were carrying vinyl chloride, derailed in eastern Palestine on February 3. The derailment spilled dangerous chemicals onto the ground and sent a plume of smoke into the air.
Officials conducted a controlled release of chemicals in the days after the derailment due to the high risk of a large explosion forcing residents to evacuate.
The US Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio officials said both the air and water in eastern Palestine are safe, but residents report various health problems that are spreading to their pets.
An Ohioan visibly frustrated with the response to the toxic train derailment in eastern Palestine on February 3 told city officials at a town hall scheduled Wednesday: “That’s not why we came here,” prompting a change in the format of the meeting. (FoxNews)
A resident asked officials about “dead fish concerns” that have been seen in the area.
“When I see that something causes death in a living being, it scares me,” said the individual.
“What happened with the fish was there was a release of these small organic compounds directly into the water and those fish were directly affected,” an Ohio health official responded.
OHIO REPUBLICAN INVITES BUTTIGIEG TO EAST PALESTINE CITY HALL AFTER TRAIN RAIL: ‘I’LL SAVE A SEAT’
This photo taken with a drone shows parts of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio, still ablaze at noon on Saturday, February 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
The health official said no similar exposure has been seen in air or drinking water.
East Palestinian residents Nathan Izotic and his wife Kelly said on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” that they are experiencing the impacts of the chemical firsthand after the train derailment.
“We are seeing them locally and within our bodies. What we are experiencing: Local fish in our streams have died…oily sheen and coloration in our water…[the] constant smell of burning plastics and chemicals in the air… problems with our dog… vomiting, lethargy. It’s kind of scary here,” Izotic said.
Nathan Velez, another East Palestinian resident, said he has experienced persistent headaches.
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Smoke billows from a derailed freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 4, 2023. – The train crash sparked a massive fire and evacuation orders, officials and reports said Saturday. No injuries or deaths were reported after the 50-car train skidded off the tracks on February 3 near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border. The train was carrying cargo from Madison, Illinois, to Conway, Pennsylvania, when it derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. (Dustin Franz/AFP via Getty Images)
“My house is on the other side of the tracks…and it stinks too. You can’t spend a lot of time here without feeling like shit,” he said. “And my question is why, if it’s okay if it’s safe, and all these people say it’s safe, if it’s so safe and it’s okay, why does it hurt?”
Fox News’ Chris Pandolfo and Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.
