Air pollution from Ohio train crash spanned 16 states — study

By Ellie Borst | 06/20/2024 01:31 PM EDT

Air monitoring shows pollutants from the fiery train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, were larger in scope and scale than first predicted.

A large plume of smoke rises over East Palestine, Ohio, after a controlled detonation of a portion of a derailed Norfolk Southern train on Feb. 6, 2023. Three days earlier, about 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash.

A large plume of smoke rises over East Palestine, Ohio, after a controlled detonation of a portion of a derailed Norfolk Southern train on Feb. 6, 2023. Three days earlier, about 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash. Gene J. Puskar/AP

Air pollution from the fiery train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last year was more widespread than initial predictions, according to a new study published Wednesday.

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison found that inorganic pollutants released due to the accident spanned at least 16 states and as far away as southern Canada and North Carolina.

David Gay, lead researcher and coordinator of the National Atmospheric Deposition Program, which tracks pollution that returns to earth through precipitation, said in a statement their findings were important in two main ways.

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First, it showed the vast area covered by the “expected high chloride concentrations,” Gay said, likely from the controlled burn of five train cars carrying vinyl chloride, a carcinogenic chemical used to make PVC pipes and other plastics.

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