A federal report concluded that the burn-off of chemicals after the Ohio train derailment was avoidable, blaming Norfolk Southern and its contractors for overestimating explosion risks.
Justine McDaniel reports for The Washington Post.
In short:
- The NTSB found that Norfolk Southern exaggerated the explosion risk of derailed train cars, leading to an unnecessary chemical burn in East Palestine, Ohio.
- Delays in providing critical information to emergency responders increased public hazard exposure.
- The incident has spurred recommendations for stricter safety regulations and practices across the rail industry.
Key quote:
“This derailment and hazardous-material release was devastating. We can’t change the past. What we can do, based on facts, is work to ensure this never happens again.”
— Jennifer Homendy, NTSB Chair.
Why this matters:
The findings point out the need for improved rail safety and emergency response protocols to protect public health and prevent future environmental disasters. Read more: East Palestine, Ohio, derailment reveals gaps in public health response to chemical emergencies, experts say.
