Biden administration officials privately acknowledged potential cancer risks in East Palestine, Ohio following the 2023 train disaster, while publicly assuring residents the area was safe.
At a Glance
- Norfolk Southern’s train derailment in February 2023 released hazardous chemicals including vinyl chloride into East Palestine, Ohio
- Internal communications revealed officials admitted “the occurrence of a cancer-cluster in EP [East Palestine] is not zero” despite public safety assurances
- A $310 million settlement with Norfolk Southern was announced in May 2024 to hold the company accountable
- EPA has been criticized for failing to uphold scientific integrity during the disaster response
- Major excavation was completed in October 2023, but cleanup efforts continue at the derailment site
Government’s Mixed Messages on Cancer Risk
The Biden administration privately expressed concerns about cancer risks in East Palestine while publicly declaring the area safe following the February 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment. Internal communications obtained from government agencies reveal officials acknowledged the potential for serious health consequences despite reassuring statements to residents. This disconnect has fueled distrust among community members who continue to worry about long-term health effects from exposure to hazardous chemicals released during the incident.
While EPA Administrator Michael Regan highlighted the agency’s extensive data collection efforts, independent experts have questioned the quality and methodology of this monitoring. The agency’s approach to testing has been criticized for fundamental flaws that may have obscured the true extent of contamination, raising questions about whether residents received accurate information about potential health risks in the aftermath of the disaster.
Scientific Integrity Concerns
Evidence suggests the EPA failed to maintain scientific integrity during its response to the East Palestine disaster. According to reports, there were instructions to falsify data and inadequate deployment of specialized monitoring technology. The ASPECT technology, designed to detect chemicals like vinyl chloride, was deployed too late and collected insufficient data to properly assess the danger to residents and the environment.
The National Transportation Safety Board later determined that Norfolk Southern’s controversial decision to vent and burn vinyl chloride was unnecessary, contradicting the EPA’s report claiming the operation was successful. This misalignment between federal agencies has raised serious questions about the government’s overall handling of the disaster and its commitment to transparency. The proposed Scientific Integrity Act could prevent similar issues in future environmental crises by establishing stronger protections for federal science.
Ongoing Cleanup and Accountability
Two years after the derailment, cleanup efforts continue in East Palestine. Major excavation was completed in October 2023, allowing natural water flow to return to affected areas. Norfolk Southern is now preparing a workplan to address remaining low-level contamination at the East End of the derailment site. The dismantling of one-million-gallon tanks used for wastewater containment began in August 2024, marking progress in the remediation process.
“Since the disaster, EPA has collected more than 100 million air monitoring data points and more than 25 thousand samples in and around the community.”, said Michael Regan.
In May 2024, a settlement valued at over $310 million was announced to hold Norfolk Southern accountable for damages caused by the derailment. Public comments on this proposed settlement were accepted until August 2, 2024. The Unified Command overseeing response efforts has transitioned to a “Multi-Agency Coordination Group,” signaling a new phase in the recovery process. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Vice President JD Vance visited East Palestine for the two-year anniversary, emphasizing continued federal commitment to the community’s recovery.
Preventing Future Disasters
The East Palestine derailment has highlighted the need for stronger rail and chemical disaster regulations to prevent similar incidents. The Scientific Integrity Act, if passed, would require federal agencies to maintain scientific integrity principles and appoint Scientific Integrity Officers who could prevent political interference in scientific processes. Independent oversight and rigorous adherence to evidence-based protocols are essential safeguards against the kind of regulatory failures that contributed to this environmental catastrophe.
While cleanup efforts continue and government officials promise accountability, many residents remain concerned about long-term health impacts. The mixed messages from federal agencies and questions about testing methods have created lasting distrust. As sediment cleanup progresses in Sulphur Run and Leslie Run, the community awaits more definitive answers about their future health risks and whether the government’s response was truly adequate to protect them from the disaster’s most serious consequences.
