4 things to know about the Ohio train derailment, burning toxic chemicals

By Ryan Foley, Christian Post Reporter Tuesday, February 14, 2023

4. Health impacts: thousands of dead fish, wildlife and sick first responders

Even after state and federal officials ensured residents of East Palestine that it was safe to return home, many residents of the eastern Ohio village raised questions about the impact of the chemical accident on their community. Sen. J. D. Vance, R-Ohio, released a statement Monday saying he heard “alarming anecdotes about contaminated waterways and effects on wildlife.”

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has estimated that 3,500 fish in the 7.5 miles of waterways located in close proximity to the train derailment and chemical burn have died as a result of contaminated water. Director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Mary Mertz, clarified in a press conference Tuesday that fish from 12 different species died in the aftermath of the chemical fire. She insisted that no fish belonging to an endangered species had died.

Mertz also told reporters that the number of dead fish did not appear to have increased since the first few days following the controlled burning of chemicals. She further claimed that wildlife deaths from the incident did not extend to non-aquatic species. However, residents have reported seeing sickly and dead animals, such as foxes and chickens.

A first responder who was on the scene in the aftermath of the accident discussed the situation on the ground in an interview with The Daily Wire. “A large number of firefighters, police officers, sheriff’s deputies, and state troopers have experienced many symptoms including a bad cough, headaches, sore throat and diarrhea,” he said. “The same symptoms were reported by residents who did not evacuate.”

The first responder interviewed by The Daily Wire, who wished to remain anonymous, experienced a cough, sore throat and diarrhea early last week. His symptoms have since subsided.