The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) faced criticism for waiting a month to consult their experts about the risk of chemical exposure following a fiery train derailment near East Palestine, Ohio. Internal emails obtained by HuffPost show that at least two EPA scientists were surprised and concerned by the delay. During this time, the agency relied on the railway company and its contractors to conduct environmental testing, which raised concerns about conflicts of interest.
The email communications revealed by HuffPost were described as “stunning” by Judith Enck, a former EPA regional administrator. Enck questioned why the EPA would allow the burning of vinyl chloride without consulting their scientists. The EPA confirmed that they did not direct or consult on the “controlled burn” of the vinyl chloride. They stated that their role at the time was to coordinate and conduct air monitoring from outside the evacuation area. However, the agency acknowledged that they did not consider monitoring for dioxins, toxic compounds that can form when chlorinated chemicals like vinyl chloride combust.
Experts such as Enck and Stephen Lester criticized the EPA for misjudging the dioxin risk and failing to protect public health. They argued that the agency had mishandled the situation and had not followed proper protocols. Dioxins are persistent pollutants that can accumulate in the environment and food chain. They have been linked to serious health problems such as cancer, developmental issues, and hormone disruption.
Independent experts had raised concerns about the risk of dioxin exposure around East Palestine in the aftermath of the derailment. Internal emails from the EPA showed that there was a lack of monitoring for dioxins and other toxic contaminants. The agency’s dioxin expert, Brian Gullett, expressed surprise that no air monitoring for dioxins had been conducted. He mentioned that they had the capability to sample the plumes using a drone-mounted sampler, but it was too late to do so.
The emails also revealed that Gullett and other experts within the EPA’s Office of Research and Development were not brought into the disaster response until a month after the derailment. It was not until early March that these experts were involved in the situation. Gullett mentioned that he was surprised they had not been asked for their expertise yet.
The delayed involvement of these experts and the lack of monitoring for dioxins added to concerns about the EPA’s handling of the situation. The agency was accused of not properly assessing the risk and potential harm caused by the burning of vinyl chloride. This has raised questions about the EPA’s commitment to protecting public health and upholding its mission.
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