The residents in Ohio are worried about their health after a train carrying toxic chemicals crashed and covered the neighborhood with black smoke on Feb. 3.
Train Derailment in Ohio Raises Health Concerns
Melissa Henry, a resident in East Palestine, told the Associated Press her youngest son's 'eyes turned red as a tomato after the incident. He was also coughing a lot before the family evacuated to her parents' house outside the evacuation zone, Daily Mail reported.
The chemical leak also affected several animals in the area, even those outside the evacuation perimeter.
North Lima, who lives 10 miles away from the train derailment, said six of her chickens died days after the chemical fire started.
Taylor Holzer, a registered foxkeeper, living outside the evacuation perimeter told WKBN that all his foxes got sick and one died. There were also dead fish spotted in waterways around the scene.
The outlet noted that the incident leaked several chemicals, including vinyl chloride, phosgene, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate and isobutylene. Each of the said chemicals could affect one's health.
Vinyl chloride is linked to liver damage, while phosgene can cause breathing difficulties. Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether is linked to kidney damage and is irritating to the eyes, skin and respiratory tract.
Ethylhexyl acrylate can cause dizziness and nausea. It is also a carcinogen and may cause a burning sensation and irritation on the skin and in the eyes.
Isobutylene is linked to headaches and fatigue. It can cause coma or even death in high doses.
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More About Vinyl Chloride
According to the National Cancer Institute, vinyl chloride is a known human carcinogen. The odorless synthetic gas is used to produce polyvinyl chloride, also known as PVC, a type of tough plastic resin.
The gas is associated with an increased risk of hepatic angiosarcoma, a rare form of liver cancer. That type of cancer accounts for only 2% of liver tumors, and according to a 2018 journal publication, it is "exceptionally deadly." The average life expectancy of a cancer patient is only 10 months, CBS News reported.
The hazardous chemical is also associated with primary liver cancer, cancers of the brain and lungs, lymphoma, and leukemia.
Humans can inhale the gas, and if a water supply becomes contaminated with the substance, the gas can also enter homes that use that water source for showering, cooking, or laundry.
According to a report published by the EPA on Sunday, five train cars were carrying this substance at the time of the collision. Another report in 2006 from the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry said the substance breaks down in the air within a few days, forming other chemicals such as hydrochloric acid, formaldehyde and carbon dioxide.
The officials were also worried about phosgene and hydrogen chloride too because it is a choking agent used extensively during World War 1. The agency said it was responsible for the majority of deaths.
On Monday, no vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride was detected in the screened homes. However, over 180 homes are still yet to be screened.
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