Norfolk Southern Railway's Failure to Test For Asthma

Residents in East Palestine, Ohio are concerned about their health after the fiery derailment of an Ohio train. They claim that the railroad company doesn't test enough air, soil and water.

EPA representatives have been with CTEH workers to homes of residents and conducted indoor air tests. But some remain skeptical.

Asthma symptoms

Asthma symptoms are typically tied to common triggers, such as smoke, pet dander mold or mildew, tobacco, cold air and pollen. Some triggers are more rare or unusual, like perfume, aspirin or traffic. For people with asthma, it's essential to identify their personal triggers to avoid them whenever possible.

Residents who lived near the site of the crash in East Palestine, Ohio reported coughing up grey mucus and experiencing difficulty breathing. Local officials advised residents to leave their homes, but that vinyl chloride from the derailed train was safe for them to return home after officials conducted tests on the air and water. But now, some residents claim they are sick again with chest pain, headaches, nausea, and tingling in their fingers and toes.

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

Residents of Englewood in Chicago have been accused of norfolk southern railway mds Southern for not fulfilling its pledge to invest in their community and encourage local employment. The residents have demanded the railway company to test the quality of indoor air and hire locals, as well as pay for increased police patrols. They've even urged their elected leaders to join them in demanding that the railway company to be a "better partner" in Englewood. But local alderwoman Jeanette Taylor claims the railway company is "holding us hostage," saying that she's been unable to convince them to agree to those goals.

Treatment for Asthma

Authorities in East Palestine, Ohio, decided to blow holes in five railcars to remove the chemicals after a train that was derailed released vinyl-chloride into the soil and water. Then, they burned them, sending a smoky plume into the air and causing thousands of residents to leave for several days.

Eventually, the local Environmental Protection Agency said it was safe to return home, and Norfolk Southern Railway Myelodysplastic Syndrome a norfolk southern railway interstitial lung disease Southern website launched an information hub to keep people up-to-date on environmental issues and family assistance programs. The company also made arrangements for CTEH to test the air inside residents' homes and then provide them with results, which often seemed unclear. The relationship between CTEH, Norfolk Southern and the company was not always clear. Some forms that the company asked residents sign included a confusing sentence in which it was stated that those who signed waived their right to sue. The EPA claims to have clarified these tests and is working closely with residents who might have questions.

However, many residents are worried. In a private Facebook group, they've shared anecdotes of persistent lung irritation and headaches and that their children suffer from rashes that cover their arms and faces. They're urging each other to keep meticulous documentation in the event they need it in future legal action against the railroad. They're calling on elected officials to enact extreme regulations, oversight and transparent reporting about norfolk southern railway esophageal cancer Southern. They also want norfolk southern railway kidney cancer Southern to employ locals, repair the infrastructure that is crumbling, and study health impacts at the Englewood Intermodal Yard.

Asthma causes

The train's derailment in East Palestine, Ohio caused an ensuing toxic fire that released gas and vapours of vinyl chloride, butyl acrylicate and other chemical. According to a class-action lawsuit filed against norfolk southern railway multiple myeloma Southern these chemicals contaminated drinking water and soil. Residents were forced out and drink bottled water. The lawsuit states that harmful chemicals could also contaminate the DNA of people and trigger neurological issues.

The inhalation of diesel exhaust fumes raises the risk of lung cancer in railroad workers. The risk of exposure to asbestos is also very high for railroad workers, since it can be found on trains and in homes of residents living close by.

Toxic solvents can trigger toxic encephalopathy, especially if they are employed in the workplace. This disease can lead to memory loss, fatigue, and the inability to think clearly. It can also cause problems with the heart. The signs of this disease may be difficult to spot. The most common symptoms are fatigue, loss of balance and difficulty recalling information.

Residents of East Palestine have complained about not being informed by Norfolk Southern and local government officials of the health implications that a railroad yard in their neighborhood could cause. Many people were sent a threatening FAQ document with no government or corporate letterhead soliciting them to permit air, soil and water testing.

Asthma Prevention

Reducing exposure to triggers for asthma can help to prevent the onset of symptoms. For example, experts advise to avoid smoking secondhand and staying indoors on high ozone alert days and limiting outdoor activities during the peak allergy seasons.

The derailment on February 3 of Norfolk Southern in East Palestine, Ohio caused an evacuation and the release of dangerous 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 may also have contaminated the soil as well as water.

After the accident, norfolk southern railway Myelodysplastic syndrome Southern pledged to rectify the situation for the close-knit community. This includes ensuring that the site is cleaned thoroughly and safely, as well as testing air, soil and water, as well as assisting families whose lives were disturbed.

However the company hasn't explained precisely how it plans to carry the promises. Some residents interviewed by ProPublica expressed concerns about possible conflicts of interests.

Does your child's schools support the safe use and storage of medications that provide quick relief, like inhalers? Do they have medications for quick relief on hand for students at all times? Do they encourage physical activity that doesn't cause an asthma attack? Are the school premises and premises smoke-free? If not, now is the moment to act.