Norfolk Southern Railway's Failure to Test For Asthma

Residents in East Palestine, Ohio are worried about their health after the derailment that killed a train. They claim that the railroad company fails to test enough soil, air, and water.

EPA representatives have representatives from the EPA have CTEH workers to residents' homes and overseen indoor air tests. But there are some who remain skeptical.

Asthma Symptoms

Asthma symptoms are often linked to common triggers, such as smoke and pet dander. Mold, cold air, pollen and tobacco can all cause the condition to worsen. Some triggers are less common or uncommon, such as perfume, aspirin, and even traffic. For those suffering from asthma, it's vital to know their triggers to avoid them as often as possible.

In the days after the derailment of a toxic train in East Palestine, Ohio, residents near the crash site reported coughing up gray mucus and struggling to breathe. Local officials advised them to evacuate their homes, but vinyl chloride from the derailed train was safe to return home, after authorities conducted tests on the air and water. But now, some of them say they are sick again -- with chest pain, headaches nausea, and tingling of fingers and toes.

The reason? Long-term exposure to railroad diesel exhaust fumes. Railroad workers have filed lawsuits alleging lung conditions they believe are due to exposure to diesel exhaust, a condition that is known as diesel asthma.

Residents of Englewood in Chicago have been suing Norfolk Southern for not fulfilling its commitment to invest in the community and to support local jobs. They've been urging Norfolk Southern to check their indoor air quality, recruit locally and pay for more police patrols in the neighborhood. They've even urged their elected officials to join them in demanding the railway company be a "better partner" in Englewood. But local alderwoman Jeanette Taylor says the railway company is "holding us hostage," saying that she's been unable to get them to commit to these goals.

Asthma Treatment

Authorities in East Palestine, Ohio, decided to blow holes in five railcars in order to eliminate the chemical after a train car that was damaged released vinyl chloride into the soil and water. Then, they burned them, releasing a cloud into the air, and requiring thousands of residents to evacuate for several days.

The local Environmental Protection Agency eventually said that it was safe to return home. Norfolk Southern launched a website to provide information about environmental issues and programs to aid families. The company also arranged for CTEH to test the air quality inside the homes of residents and then provide them with the results, which are often unclear. The relationship between CTEH and Norfolk Southern wasn't always clear and the forms the company asked residents to sign included a confusing sentence suggesting that the people who signed the forms would waive their right to sue. The EPA says it has assisted to clarify the tests and is working with residents who are unsure.

However, many residents are concerned. In a Facebook group residents have shared their stories concerning persistent lung irritation headaches, rashes, and inflammation on the faces and arms of their children. They're urging each other to keep meticulous documentation so they can use it in any future legal action against the railroad. They want elected officials to enact extreme regulations, oversight and transparent reporting on Norfolk Southern. They also want the company to hire locally, repair damaged infrastructure and research the health impacts of the Englewood intermodal yard.

Asthma is a cause of

The train derailment that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio, caused a toxic chemical fire that released smoke fumes and the vapors of vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate. According to a class action lawsuit filed against Norfolk Southern, these chemicals have contaminated drinking water and soil. As a result, residents were forced out of their homes and use bottles of water. The lawsuit claims that the toxic chemicals may also contaminate the DNA of people and cause neurological problems.

Railroad workers have a much greater chance of developing lung cancer from inhaling diesel exhaust fumes than general population. They also face a higher risk of secondary exposure to asbestos, which can be found in coal dust on trains and in the homes of families living close to them.

Toxic solvents can cause toxic encephalopathy if used in the workplace. This illness can cause memory loss, fatigue, and an inability think clearly. It can also cause heart problems. It can be difficult to identify the signs of this illness. There are signs of the loss of balance, weakness and difficulty remembering things.

Many residents in the East Palestine area have complained that they aren't well-informed by Norfolk Southern or local government officials on the health consequences of having a rail yard in their area. For instance, an ominous FAQ document that does not have a company or government letterhead has appeared on many people's doors and asking them to consent to testing of their air, water, and soil.

Asthma Prevention

Apart from ensuring that children are receiving the right medication, restricting exposure to asthma triggers can help to prevent the onset of symptoms. For instance, experts recommend to avoid smoking secondhand and norfolk southern railway scleroderma staying indoors on high Ozone alert days and restricting outdoor activities during the peak allergy season.

The derailment of the norfolk southern railway scleroderma (click through the next page) Southern train in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3 triggered an evacuation and releases of hazardous chemicals. According to a lawsuit filed by residents in a class-action suit the fire that engulfed rail cars released "dense clouds" of toxic fumes including vinyl chloride as well as butylacrylate residue. The vapors also may have contaminated the soil as well as water.

Following the incident, Norfolk Southern pledged to make things right for the community that is close. This includes ensuring that the site is cleaned thoroughly and safely, as well as testing air, soil, and water and helping families who had their lives disturbed.

The company hasn't yet clarified how it will fulfill these promises. Some residents interviewed by ProPublica say they're concerned about potential conflicts of interest.

Does your child's primary school promote the use of safe medications for quick relief, such as inhalers? Do they have quick-relief medicines available to students at all times? Do they encourage physical activity that doesn't result in an asthma attack? Are the school buildings and premises smoke-free? If not now is the perfect time to act.