The recent train derailment and release of vinyl chloride in Ohio is a public health and environmental disaster.
Here’s what to know.
Experts in This Article
medical toxicologist and co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center
epidemiology researcher.
Unfortunately, the current state of the disaster offers a hefty supply of questions but remains short on answers.
What is bad about pollutants like vinyl chloride?
What risk does the vinyl chloride in Ohio pose to the environment?
medical toxicologist and co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
However, not enough is known yet about the nature of the pollution and the other chemicals released.
What health risks from vinyl chloride are concerning?
Vinyl chloride is a known carcinogen, so it poses a threat to public health and the surrounding ecosystems.
In the field of aquatic ecology, we assess water quality via three types of insects.
We use these because they are super sensitive to pollutants.
If I go to a stream, I can assess the population of certain populations of insects.
So, seeing the fact that the fish are dead is alarming.
Fish being dead is a red flag; they are bigger than bugs and can handle bigger toxins.
medical toxicologist and co-medical director of the National Capital Poison Center
What can people do in the aftermath of this disaster to stay safe?
Recommending evacuation without resources for support is simply not enough, she says.
How can you be prepared in the event of an environmental disaster?
FEMA recommends staying at least one half-mile away from any chemical exposure.
Position yourself upwind from the disaster to avoid having the wind blow chemicals downwind in your direction.
There are two ways to contact Poison Control in the United States: online atwww.poison.orgor by phone at 1-800-222-1222.
Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.
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