‘We’re afraid to shower’: Residents of US town scared of cancer risks after toxic train derailment
Residents near the site of a toxic train derailment say they are afraid to take showers because of the fear of contamination.
It has been almost three weeks since about 50 freight carriages on a 150-car Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, and the controlled burn a few days later of the toxic cocktail being carried by five of the cars.
It is thought that the train was carrying the highly flammable and carcinogenic vinyl chloride, which can cause dizziness, headaches, drowsiness and even some cancers.
More than 1.5 million gallons of contaminants and contaminated water have been removed from the area since the crash, authorities say.
Doug Brayshaw, 63, told NBC he was sitting on his porch when he spotted a black plume of smoke rising from the scene of the derailment.
He added: “We’re afraid to shower.
“I won’t even give my dog drinking water out of my well right now, because I’m worried.”
Amanda Greathouse told CNN she had returned to her house for about 30 minutes when she developed a rash and nausea, and that her eyes were “burning”.
She added: “That’s when we decided that we couldn’t raise our kids here.”
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it began testing air quality within 24 hours of the derailment and is also helping to monitor air quality indoors.
So far it has reported that vinyl chloride and hydrogen chloride amounts are not found above levels of concern.
But the 4,700 people of East Palestine are still worried – since the derailment, there have been reports of headaches, irritated eyes and other problems.
Read more:
Environmental agency tells Ohio residents it’s ‘safe to return’
Crews release chemicals from train to avert explosion
‘Increased risk of cancer’
Ila Cote, a former EPA toxicologist, said: “The data on cancer risk from a single high exposure is not good.
“But it would certainly be safe to say that if people had been highly exposed to vinyl chloride, they would incur increased risk of cancer.”
Mo Osman, who runs a lab hired by the county to analyse its water samples, told NBC: “If a well is safe right now, we don’t know what the quality of that water is going to be in a week, a month or two months.
“It takes time for pollution to potentially travel from the source of contamination to the individual well, so it is very important to continue sampling at a certain frequency.”
‘Have fun, everybody’
Donald Trump, who is running for president next year, was in the town on Wednesday, taking the opportunity to criticise the federal response to the disaster.
He told residents: “In too many cases, your goodness and perseverance were met with indifference and betrayal.”
Donald Trump donated Trump-branded bottled water when he visited the area
Mr Trump stopped at a McDonald’s to give out hats, ordered meals for emergency workers and picked up food for his plane ride home.
He donated cleaning supplies and Trump-branded bottled water to those worried about the safety of their tap water, signing autographs before telling supporters: “Have fun, everybody.”
Mr Trump said that he hoped US President Joe Biden would have “some money left over” for the residents of East Palestine after his return from this week’s trip to Ukraine.
In response, the White House criticised Mr Trump for not doing enough as president to toughen rail and environmental laws.
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4 Feb: Train derailment causes fire in Ohio
Train operator will not ‘get off the hook’
Meanwhile, EPA administrator Michael Regan, who visited the site last week, vowed that Norfolk Southern would be made to clean up the damage left by the derailment.
He said: “Let me be clear: Norfolk Southern will pay for cleaning up the mess they created and for the trauma they’ve inflicted on this community.
“In no way shape or form will Norfolk Southern get off the hook for the mess they created.”
Norfolk Southern’s chief financial officer Mark George responded: “We take responsibility… We’re fully dedicated to making things right.
“We’re here for the long term.”
The King has written to former US president Joe Biden after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer, Buckingham Palace said
The monarch, who is undergoing his own treatment for an undisclosed cancer, hosted the 82-year-old for tea and talks at Windsor in July 2023.
Mr Biden was diagnosed on Friday, with tests revealing the cancer had spread to his bones.
The former president posted an image of himself and his wife Jill on X on Monday and wrote: “Cancer touches us all. Like so many of you, Jill and I have learned that we are strongest in the broken places. Thank you for lifting us up with love and support.”
The King and Joe Biden at Windsor Castle in July 2023. Pic: Reuters
The King’s letter comes after British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
Meanwhile US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns around his age and fitness to serve, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election race and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X after his diagnosis: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
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Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
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Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media that he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
Politicians have sent messages of support to Joe Biden, who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The 82-year-old, who is the oldest person to ever serve as US president, was described as a “fighter” with people wishing him a “fast and full recovery”.
US President Donald Trump said he was “saddened” by the news, adding: “We extend our warmest and best wishes to Jill and the family, and we wish Joe a fast and successful recovery.”
Former US president Barack Obama said: “Michelle and I are thinking of the entire Biden family.
“Nobody has done more to find breakthrough treatments for cancer in all its forms than Joe, and I am certain he will fight this challenge with his trademark resolve and grace. We pray for a fast and full recovery.”
Read more: Biden diagnosed with ‘aggressive’ form of prostate cancer
Barack Obama (right) with Joe Biden at a campaign event in 2022. File pic: Reuters
British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was “very sorry to hear President Biden has prostate cancer”.
“All the very best to Joe, his wife Jill and their family, and wishing the President swift and successful treatment,” he added.
After a poor debate performance against Mr Trump and amid escalating concerns for his health, Mr Biden withdrew from the 2024 election and endorsed his vice president Kamala Harris.
Ms Harris wrote on X: “We are keeping him, Dr. Biden, and their entire family in our hearts and prayers during this time.
“Joe is a fighter – and I know he will face this challenge with the same strength, resilience, and optimism that have always defined his life and leadership. We are hopeful for a full and speedy recovery.”
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Mr Biden’s diagnosis: What we know
Former US president Bill Clinton wrote on social media: “My friend Joe Biden’s always been a fighter. Hillary and I are rooting for him and are keeping him, Jill, and the entire family in our thoughts.”
Hillary Clinton, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2016, said she was “thinking of the Bidens as they take on cancer, a disease they’ve done so much to try to spare other families from”.
Speaker of the US House Of Representatives Mike Johnson said it was “sad news” and his family “will be joining the countless others who are praying” for Mr Biden.
Read more from Sky News:
UK and EU sign reset deal – live updates
Gary Lineker to leave BBC next week
Listen to The World with Richard Engel and Yalda Hakim every Wednesday
Former House speaker Nancy Pelosi described Mr Biden as a “great American patriot” and said she was “praying for him to have strength and a swift recovery”.
Mr Trump’s secretary of state, Marco Rubio, wrote on social media he and his wife were “united in prayer for the Biden Family during this difficult time”.
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