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Anger Grows as Rail Firm Fails To Attend Ohio Town Meeting On Chemical Spill
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A public meeting held in East Palestine, Ohio aimed at allaying fears over a recent toxic chemical spill turned into a heated affair when the rail company at the center of the disaster failed to show up.
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Norfolk Southern, the company whose train was responsible for the chemical spill, cited security concerns as the reason for their absence.
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Following the derailment, emergency crews conducted a controlled release of vinyl chloride from five railcars that were at risk of exploding.
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The release of the chemical resulted in thick plumes of black smoke that towered over the town of East Palestine, causing concern among residents.
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Despite assurances from officials about the safety of the release, many residents remained frightened of the potential harm that the chemical spill posed to human and wildlife alike.
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Despite assurances from officials about the safety of the release, many residents remained frightened of the potential harm that the chemical spill posed to humans and wildlife alike.
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Mistrust has grown among residents, who report difficulties in getting their water tested, and see the response to the crisis as ineffective and inadequate.
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The absence of Norfolk Southern from the public meeting only served to fuel residents' anger and mistrust.
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The meeting, held in a local high school gymnasium, was attended by hundreds of people who bombarded officials with questions about air and water quality.
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Officials, including the mayor, were forced to plead with locals to remain civil as emotions ran high during the meeting.
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Residents are banding together to bring in outside experts to examine soil and water, and an attorney to answer legal questions.
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Congressman Bill Johnson, who attended the meeting, faced repeated questions about what many residents see as contradictory and confusing health guidance.
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Some residents have reported experiencing headaches and nausea in the days following the chemical spill.
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The Environmental Protection Agency has been monitoring air and water quality and has not detected harmful levels of contaminants.
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Ohio's Health Department has assured residents that the concentrations of toxins in the air and water are far below levels that could harm humans.
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The head of the EPA, Michael Regan, is expected to visit East Palestine to assess the response to the derailment and ensure the health and safety of the community.
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Some residents, however, remain skeptical about the information provided by officials and have little faith in the response to the disaster.