A community question and answer session scheduled with the transportation company connected to the train derailment and toxic fallout in East Palestine, Ohio, further disturbed residents after the company pulled out.
Multiple reports of wildlife, livestock and even indoor pets dying and people falling ill with headaches, nausea, and rashes due to possible chemical exposure have been accumulating since a train operated by the Norfolk Southern transportation company came off the tracks on February 3.
The town’s mayor announced that Norfolk Southern would no longer attend the meeting on Wednesday, angering residents who are unsure whether it is safe to return to their homes.
“Why are people getting sick if there’s nothing in the air or water?” shouted an unidentified woman at the meeting, reported USA Today.
As previously reported in The Dallas Express, the evacuation order was rescinded once the air quality was determined to be safe. Still, regulators and community members are concerned over potential groundwater contamination.
Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency still has not provided a complete list of the chemicals at the site of the derailment.
“I want to know what we’re being exposed to. People are looking for answers on how to deal with the situation we’re in,” said a 48-year-old female resident identified only as Ms. Walker, according to The Wall Street Journal.
The Dallas Express reached out to Norfolk Southern and asked why the company pulled out of the meeting.
A company spokesperson replied by email, suggesting that its representatives could have faced physical danger from “outside parties.”
“Unfortunately, after consulting with community leaders, we have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties.”
The company’s justification was not especially convincing to U.S. Senator J.D. Vance (R-OH).
“These are nice people, these are good people. The idea that they’re going to get beat up if they walk into East Palestine I think is not true. So I think it would do Norfolk Southern a lot of good to have at least a representative on the ground directly answering the community’s questions,” said Vance, per NBC 21.
According to the company’s email to The Dallas Express, Norfolk Southern has so far put up roughly $2.7 million to help families impacted by the initial evacuation and any additional community needs.
The Dallas Express asked how much money the train operator would ultimately be liable to pay out to affected residents.
“We’re not able to make forward-looking statements,” the spokesperson responded.
