Environment Should be Considered with the Recent Ohio Disasters

With recent accidents and disasters in Ohio, the environment has been at severe risk. This causes health issues to Ohio citizens, hurting wildlife and livestock, consequently harming the food and water supply.

To be specific, the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio released many harmful chemicals into the community. As said by the New York Times, these chemicals include: butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, and vinyl chloride. Norfolk Southern train wrecked on February 3, causing a “controlled burn,” according to the New York Times.

Depending on who speculates, there are many different opinions on whether or not East Palestine’s water is dangerous. However, many citizens have explained their concern.

In addition to the train derailment there was an industrial plant explosion in Cleveland at the end of February. This could have also released harmful toxins into the waterways. Despite a staggering amount of citizens complaining about side effects to their health, there have been no official reports of chemicals in the water.

This being said, the tests done on the water in Ohio should take place more frequently in general, but especially after an accident. It is no question that the regulations, on paper, are very helpful. But, there should be more extensive tests on the quality of water and food-the United States requires FDA approval for items that are consumed by the citizens.

According to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, “The Division of Drinking and Ground Waters ensures compliance with the federal Safe

Drinking Water Act and evaluates potential threats to source waters that supply Ohio’s more than 4,800 public drinking water systems.”

Therefore, if there was a known instance in which the cleanliness of water and food may have been depleted then citizens should not be worried about whether or not it is safe to consume.

According to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, “The Division of Drinking and Ground Waters ensures compliance with the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and evaluates potential threats to source waters that supply Ohio’s more than 4,800 public drinking water systems.”

The Drinking Water Standards, or DWS, set the acceptable quality of drinking water in Ohio.

Depending on who speculates, there are many different opinions on whether or not East Palestine’s water is