She says the incident was a symbol of a larger problem. For example, a recent report from Toxic-Free Future and Material Research revealed that at any given moment up to 16,000 tons of vinyl chloride are being shipped by rail by America's largest producer, OxyVinyls.
“Continuing to run this carcinogen into our crumbling rail system, city by city, is putting millions of people at risk,” says Conard, who recently left her job as a speech therapist to work with the environmental advocacy group Beyond Plastics.
Owner Melissa Smith pours coffee brewed from tap water for President Joe Biden at an East Palestine café last week.credit: AP
“We have safe and sustainable alternatives to every PVC product on the market, such as glass and metal. It's not rocket science. We can go on and live full, long, happy lives without PVC – and we should.”
The EPA has now prioritized evaluation of vinyl chloride under the US Toxic Substances Control Act – the first step in restricting or banning its use.
Other chemicals scheduled for review under the federal law include acetaldehyde, acrylonitrile, benzamine and a compound known as MBOCA.
While the ban could take years because it would likely be met with resistance from industry, the agency says it is nonetheless an important step in the Biden administration's push to strengthen U.S. chemical safety laws “after years of mismanagement and delay.”
Houses for sale near the site of the 2023 train derailment in eastern Palestine.credit: Joe Appel
“[The Environmental Protection Agency] An agency spokesperson said: “Implementation of regulatory restrictions, through regulation, on the manufacture, processing, distribution, use or disposal of the chemical is required to eliminate unreasonable risks.”
The issue remains a political challenge for Biden, who visited eastern Palestine just last week, sparking accusations from former President Donald Trump and other critics that the visit came too late.
As Biden's motorcade passed through town, locals held up signs reading “Go Home, Sleepy Joe!” and “F— Biden,” along with less inflammatory signs declaring: “We need health care” and “We need help.”
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However, Biden used his visit to call on the US Congress to pass new laws that would ensure greater protections for trains carrying hazardous waste, including higher standards for braking systems, improved staffing to prevent accidents, and improved derailment detection technology.
He also criticized Norfolk Southern Railroad, the company responsible for the derailment, which has spent years resisting reforms that could make the system safer.
“We've been pushing the railroad to take more precautions to deal with braking and deal with a whole bunch of things that haven't been dealt with,” he said. “Norfolk Southern has failed in its responsibility.”
