Toxic Chemical Engulfed in Ohio Train Derailment Fire Faces Potential Formal Scrutiny by EPA

The Biden administration has signaled its intention to initiate a comprehensive evaluation of the potential hazards associated with vinyl chloride, the carcinogenic compound that emitted a towering plume of noxious black smoke during a fiery train derailment incident in East Palestine, Ohio. This move by the administration comes as part of a broader effort by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct reviews of various chemicals' risks later in the year, with a particular focus on substances commonly employed in plastic production. Among these, vinyl chloride takes center stage, prompting reactions of approval from environmental and public health activists who believe that the EPA should have taken measures to prohibit its usage long ago.

The recent catastrophic train derailment incident in East Palestine has cast a spotlight on the urgent need for thorough assessments of chemical risks. In light of the disheartening outcomes of the derailment, advocates see a potential silver lining in the Biden administration's willingness to leverage its existing legal authority to initiate the process of banning vinyl chloride. Judith Enck, a former regional EPA administrator and currently the president of Beyond Plastics, an advocacy group committed to combatting plastic pollution, emphasized the significance of this prospective action.

Enck stated, "If any silver lining can emerge from the hazardous train derailment incident in East Palestine — and I contend that thus far, no positive outcomes have arisen — it would involve the Biden administration leveraging its current legal jurisdiction to initiate the steps toward prohibiting vinyl chloride."

The inclusion of vinyl chloride within this forthcoming chemical risk review has garnered heightened attention due to its connection with plastic manufacturing and the potential risks it poses to human health and the environment.

The EPA's planned assessment could potentially encompass an in-depth evaluation of vinyl chloride's risks in the near future. The decision to consider vinyl chloride's status and potential prohibition has resonated positively within environmental and public health circles. Activists view this as a step toward prioritizing health, safety, and environmental well-being, aligning with broader goals of sustainability and pollution reduction.

As the EPA gears up to commence its assessment, the implications of their findings loom large. The administration's contemplation of banning vinyl chloride underscores an evolving understanding of chemical hazards and a growing emphasis on safeguarding public health and the environment. This imminent evaluation signifies a substantial stride forward in addressing and mitigating the dangers presented by chemicals integral to various industrial processes. Ultimately, this endeavor contributes to shaping a safer and more sustainable trajectory for the future.