Norfolk Southern train derailment toxic pollutant testing overview:
- Who: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has ordered Norfolk Southern Railway to, under its supervision, test the area around a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio last month for toxic pollutants.
- Why: Norfolk Southern came under fire after a train it was operating derailed in East Palestine on Feb. 3 and spilled hazardous chemicals — including vinyl chloride.
- Where: The Norfolk Southern train derailment occurred in East Palestine, Ohio.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered Norfolk Southern Railway to, under its supervision, test for toxic pollutants following the derailment of a train it was operating in East Palestine, Ohio last month.
Norfolk Southern has also been ordered to compare so-called dioxin levels around East Palestine with levels in non-affected areas, Law360 reports.
The order comes following a Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine that led to the spillage of hazardous materials — including vinyl chloride — that ultimately resulted in a fire and led to the alleged contamination of air, ground and soil in the area.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan said he made the decision to order company to test for toxic pollutants after speaking with residents and community leaders in the areas affected by the train derailment, Law360 reports.
Norfolk Southern has previously been ordered by the EPA to clean up all of the contaminated soil and water in the area affected by the derailment and to reimburse the agency for costs it incurs in helping clean up.
The EPA said it will continue to test the site for samples of chemicals like chlorobenzenes and chlorophenols that would indicate that a release of dioxins — highly toxic and cancerous compounds — had occurred, Law360 reports.
Norfolk Southern train derailment class action lawsuits
Several class action lawsuits have been filed against Norfolk Southern in the wake of the derailment, including by a pair of Ohio residents arguing the railway was responsible for the “catastrophic” incident.
The residents argue they have suffered both direct and substantial damages as a result of the train derailment, which they claim forced them to evacuate and contaminated the area around the derailment site.
Another class action lawsuit was filed against Norfolk Southern by a group of Ohio residents arguing the railway was responsible for the train derailment and that the event has decreased their property values.
Norfolk Southern is facing additional class action lawsuits over the train derailment that have been filed by Ohio and Pittsburgh-based law firms arguing the railway bears responsibility for the incident.
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