The train derailment incident in East Palestine, Ohio, has put the Biden administration in hot water for its mishandling of the situation.
On Feb. 9, a Norfolk Southern train was traveling through the town when it derailed, throwing about 50 cargo cars off the tracks. One-fifth of the derailed cars contained hazardous chemicals that ended up burning or being let into the air.
President Joe Biden’s Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg did not comment on the disaster until Monday, Feb. 13, 10 days after the horrific accident took place.
I continue to be concerned about the impacts of the Feb 3 train derailment near East Palestine, OH, and the effects on families in the ten days since their lives were upended through no fault of their own. It’s important that families have access to useful & accurate information:
— Secretary Pete Buttigieg (@SecretaryPete) February 14, 2023
“I continue to be concerned about the impacts of the Feb 3 train derailment near East Palestine, OH, and the effects on families in the ten days since their lives were upended through no fault of their own,” Buttigieg tweeted.
The transportation secretary even had the audacity to joke about the Chinese spy balloon incident while ignoring the trail derailment.
“If you look at what the American transportation systems have faced in the last two or three years partly because of the pandemic, we’ve faced issues from container shipping to airline cancellations … Now we got balloons,” Buttigieg awkwardly joked.
Since the derailment, people have condemned Biden for his lackluster response, with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan even admitting that there has been a “lack of trust” in the Biden administration after the incident.
“This incident has understandably shaken this community to its core,” Regan said. “The community has questions and they deserve answers. I want the community to know that we hear you, we see you, and that we will get to the bottom of this.”
Many residents living near the site have reportedly been experiencing symptoms such as irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and skin, as well as blood in urine and vomiting. while some may also cause nausea, headaches, and dizziness.
“The sentiment from the residents seems to be they’re super annoyed at how the federal government, how the Biden administration in particular is handling the situation,” said video journalist Nick Sortor.
Scientists also warn that residents may have been exposed to serious health risks — including cancer — from toxic materials carried on the train.
“Not only is it a dangerous chemical in its own right, but burning it you can get hydrochloride acid and phosgene, which has been used in warfare as a gas,” said Dr. Jacqueline Moline, vice president of occupational medicine, epidemiology and prevention at Northwell Health.
