EPA knew Ohio train derailment threat, told public area was safe anyway

(NewsNation) — The Environmental Protection Agency issued an internal memo warning of "substantial threat to public health and the environment" from the East Palestine train derailment just 10 days after telling residents it was safe to return home, according to internal documents obtained by NewsNation.

The February 2023 EPA document described the burning of toxic chemicals as an "open burn" and warned of an "increased likelihood of external exposure, inhalation, ingestion, or direct contact to human populations."

The memo also acknowledged "high levels of hazardous substances or pollutants or contaminants in soils largely at or near the surface, that may migrate."

The internal warning contradicted public statements from EPA Administrator Michael Regan, who told residents two weeks after the Feb. 3, 2023, derailment that "all families need to know that they are safe" and that air monitoring had not detected health concerns in the community.

Internal memo documented toxic chemical release and exposure risks  

The document details the release of vinyl chloride and benzene, among 10 toxic chemicals, into the atmosphere when officials burned five tanker cars to prevent an explosion.

Despite the internal concerns, the EPA encouraged residents to return home after a three-day evacuation and maintained publicly that the area was safe. 

When questioned in June 2023, EPA on-scene coordinator Mark Durno said he didn't "see any exposure potential from the derailment site based on the hundreds of thousands of monitoring points that we have."

Jami Wallace, a lifelong resident and head of the Unity Council in East Palestine, said the document proves residents' suspicions.

"The EPA knew everything that was going to happen. They knew all the issues that we were going to have from the beginning," Wallace said. "We were lied to and we were betrayed, but this memo just kind of shows you know exactly what we said was right."

Residents reported health issues after being told area was safe

Attorney Mindy Bish, representing East Palestine residents, said the internal document shows officials knew "these were toxic substances, that they were cancer-producing" but failed to protect residents who returned to their homes.

The community has reported numerous health issues, including rashes, nosebleeds and respiratory problems since the derailment.

In response to the revelations, an EPA spokesperson said: 

"The Trump EPA cannot speak for actions taken during previous administrations. We are very concerned by claims that have come to light over the past few months. The Trump Administration is committed to maximum transparency and as such we intend to conduct a thorough review of decisions made in the aftermath of the train derailment."