Evacuation order lifted after dangerous chemical leak
What we know: Evacuation order lifted after dangerous chemical leak
Updated: 7:47 PM EDT Sep 25, 2024
SO I WANTED TO FOLLOW UP AND PROVIDE A FOLLOW UP REPORT ON THE INCIDENT OF THE RELEASE FROM THE RAIL CAR. THAT INCIDENT THAT WE WE’VE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR THE PAST DAY AND A HALF AT APPROXIMATELY 615 TODAY, AN ALL CLEAR WAS ISSUED. THE RAIL CAR HAS BEEN SECURED AND IS HAS BEEN MOVED TO ITS DESTINATION WITHOUT ANY INCIDENT. ALL EVACUATION RESTRICTION ORDERS HAVE BEEN LIFTED. ALL THE ROADS HAVE BEEN REOPENED, PER THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT, THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS IN THE AND HAMILTON COUNTY HAS BEEN THE TOP PRIORITY THROUGH THIS ENTIRE EVENT, AND I WANTED TO THANK ALL THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF AND FIRST RESPONDERS FOR A SMOOTH AND THOROUGH RESPONSE. WE LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE RAILROAD FOR THEIR COORDINATION, PROFESSIONALISM AND COOPERATION THROUGHOUT THE EVENT. ALL INITIAL REPORTS DID NOT INDICATE ANY HEALTH OR HEALTH CONCERNS. THERE IS NO EXPLOSION, NO LOSS OF PROPERTY, AND THE WATER IS SAFE TO DRINK. WE’VE UTILIZED A WIRELESS EMERGENCY ALERT TO MAKE NOTIFICATIONS FOR ALL LOCAL AREA OF CITIZENS THAT THE RESTRICTIONS HAVE BEEN LIFTED. WE ENCOURAGE ANY AFFECTED RESIDENTS IN THE EVACUATION AREA TO CONTACT 211 FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. FOR THOSE AFFECTED RESIDENTS. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF FOLKS, PROFESSIONALS HERE TODAY THAT WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A STATEMENT. WE WILL HAVE MIKE MILLER FROM CENTRAL RAILROAD IN INDIANA. THANK YOU. MIKE, REAL QUICKLY, I JUST WANT TO TOUCH ON WHAT MIKE SAID. THE CENTRAL RAILROAD OF INDIANA CAN CONFIRM THAT THE RAIL CAR THAT WAS VENTING STYRENE YESTERDAY HAS BEEN STABILIZED, AND IT HAS BEEN MOVED TO ITS DESTINATION, LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE DETERMINED THAT IT’S SAFE, AND THE EVACUATION ORDER HAD BEEN REMOVED. WE DEFINITELY WANT TO THANK THE TEAM HERE, THE FIRST RESPONDERS AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTRACTORS, EVERYBODY WORKED TIRELESSLY OVER THE NIGHT TO MAKE SURE THIS DID NOT BECOME A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE. WE THANK THE COMMUNITY FOR YOUR PATIENCE. WE KNOW IT’S BEEN A REAL CHALLENGING TIME AND WE’RE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU ALL THE WAY. THE RAILROAD WILL CONTINUE TO ALLOCATE RESOURCES THROUGHOUT THE COMING DAYS. THEY’LL BE HERE AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER, AS WELL AS CALLING 211. YOU HAVE THE NUMBER THAT I GAVE THIS MORNING, THE (800) 877-7387 NUMBER. YOU CAN ALSO REACH OUT THAT FOR SUPPORT AS WELL. SO THE COMMUNITY CENTER, THE 800 NUMBER WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THANK YOU. AND WE’LL OPEN IT UP TO THE NEXT SPEAKER. WE HAVE DOCTOR FOR OUR MEDICAL DIRECTOR FROM HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. DOCTOR. THANK YOU. THANK YOU CHIEF I’M DOCTOR STEVE. FAGIN’S THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR FOR HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. I’LL REITERATE THAT STYRENE IS A VOLATILE LIQUID THAT IMMEDIATELY, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY VAPORIZES WHEN WHEN VENTED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE AND ESSENTIALLY DOES NO, DOES NO HARM. ALSO REITERATE THAT WE I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY HOSPITALIZATIONS RELATED TO THIS EVENT AS WE LIFT THIS ORDER, I CAN ONLY I CAN ONLY IMAGINE SPEAKING WITH RESIDENTS WHAT IT’S LIKE TO GET AN EVACUATION ORDER AND HAVE TO LEAVE YOUR HOME. IT CAN ACTUALLY BE MORE STRESSFUL TO RETURN AND SO WE WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO AS MUCH FOR PEACE OF MIND AS ANYTHING ELSE. NUMBER ONE, WIPE OFF ANY SURFACES, ESPECIALLY THOSE OUTSIDE WITH SOAP AND WATER, CLOTHING OR BEDDING SHEETS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT OUTSIDE. PLEASE WASH THOSE IN THE WASHING MACHINE BEFORE REUSE ANY FOOD NOT IN PACKAGES EITHER LEFT OUTSIDE OR INSIDE. PLEASE DISPOSE OF AND THAT INCLUDES PET FOOD. INCLUDES ANY PETS THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO WASH. YOU WERE THERE. ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN DONE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH FOR THE KROGER AND OTHER BUSINESSES. WITHIN A HALF MILE RADIUS OF THE SITE ALREADY, AND IT’S JUST A PRUDENT THING TO DO. I ALSO WANT TO REITERATE THAT THE WATER SUPPLY IS SAFE. THE VILLAGE OF CLEVES WATER WORKS IS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY ISSUES WORKING FOR EPA. WITH EPA, ANY PERSONAL DRINKING WELLS WITHIN THE 0.5 MILE RADIUS HAVE BEEN CHECKED BY HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND ARE SAFE. ANY RESIDENTS ANYWHERE WHO WOULD LIKE FOR HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO COME OUT AND CHECK THE WATER. I’M GOING TO GIVE YOU A NUMBER TO CALL, WHICH IS HAMILTON COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. (513) 946-7966. AND I WANT TO FINISH WITH THIS. ANY SYMPTOMS OR ANY CONCERNS GET CHECKED OUT BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. CALL YOUR PERSONAL PHYSICIAN OR GET CHECKED OUT BY A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. AND ALSO THE ILLNESSES AND INJURIES THAT WOULD OCCUR ANYWAY CAN STILL OCCUR. GET CHECKED OUT. YOU MAY NOT KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. GET CHECKED OUT. THERE ARE MANY OF OUR RESIDENTS AND I WAS HEARING ABOUT SOME OF THOSE WHO LIVE IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTY WITH CHRONIC MEDICAL ISSUES AND OTHER THINGS, WHO WILL BE RETURNING AS WELL. ANY SYMPTOMS GET CHECKED OUT. PLEASE DO AND JUST KNOW THAT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR EPA AND OTHERS IN PARTNERSHIP AS WE MOVE ON. THANK YOU. THANK YOU DOC. WE HAVE THE EMA DIRECTOR, NICK CROSSLEY. HE’S HERE. THANK YOU. ON BEHALF OF HAMILTON COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE HAMILTON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WE JUST WANT TO REITERATE OUR CONCERN FOR THE RESIDENTS OF WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP AND THE VILLAGE OF CLEVES AS THEY’VE DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE SINCE YESTERDAY. I CAN’T AGAIN, AS AS HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY STATED, I CAN’T IMAGINE HAVING TO LEAVE YOUR HOME IMMEDIATELY AND THEN NOT KNOWING WHEN YOU CAN COME BACK. SO WE’RE GLAD THAT WE’LL BE ABLE TO LIFT THE EVACUATION ORDER AND CLEAR THE ROADS SO PEOPLE CAN GO HOME. I THINK YOU’VE YOU’VE GOT THE NUMBER FOR RESOURCES TO HELP PEOPLE. THE RAILROAD IS HERE TO ANSWER ANY CLAIMS QUESTIONS. OUR JOB AS THIS EVENT HAS GONE ON IS TO HELP WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP MANAGE MEDIA REQUESTS. WE’VE PUT TOGETHER A LOT OF THE OUTREACH INFORMATION FOR PEOPLE COORDINATED COUNTY AGENCIES, STATE AGENCIES AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN CASE THEY HAD ANY QUESTIONS OR IF WE NEEDED ANY RESOURCES. WE’VE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP, WHO, OF COURSE, HAVE REITERATED THEIR SUPPORT FOR THEIR RESIDENTS AS WELL AS THE STATE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WHO HAVE ALL OFFERED THEIR RESOURCES AND FORTUNATELY, WE ARE RESOURCE RICH IN HAMILTON COUNTY, ESPECIALLY FOR AN INCIDENT OF THIS SIZE. WE’RE JUST VERY THANKFUL THAT THE VALVE WORKED AS INTENDED. RELEASE THE PRESSURE CLOSED AND WE NO LONGER HAVE A RELEASE, SO IT IS JUST UNFORTUNATE THAT IT HAPPENED. FORTUNATE THAT IT HAS ENDED AND WE’VE NOT HAD A ANY LOSS OF LIFE OR ANYBODY GET HURT DURING THIS RESPONSE AND THIS RECOVERY. AND THAT’S ALL I REALLY HAVE TO SAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. AT THIS POINT, WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE PARTNERS, PRIVATE AND PUBLIC PARTNERS TO HELP REDUCE THIS. THIS NEUTRALIZE THIS RISK. SO NOW WE’RE FOCUSING ON OUR NEXT STEPS. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? IF YOU’VE GOT QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS, AS WE MENTIONED, MULTIPLE TIMES DIAL 211. THERE’S SUPPORT THERE. THEY WILL REACH OUT AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR RESIDENTS THAT ARE AFFECTED OR HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS. THIS EVENT. THEY’LL CONTINUE TO DO AIR MONITORING FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS. AND OTHER THAN THAT, I’D LIKE TO LEAVE IT OPEN FOR QUESTIONS, PLEASE. ONE QUESTION AT A TIME, THOUGH. WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP OF THIS INVESTIGATION IN TERMS OF FIGURING OUT HOW THIS STARTED? WE WOULD WANT TO ANSWER THAT. I CAN’T ANSWER TO HOW IT STARTED, BUT I KNOW THAT THE YEAH, I MEAN, THE CAR HAS BEEN PLACED AT THE CUSTOMER SITE. THE CUSTOMERS RAILROADS, AND I’M SURE THE FEDERAL REGULATORS WILL BE INVOLVED IN INVESTIGATING WHAT POTENTIALLY CAUSED THE INCIDENT ONCE THAT’S DETERMINED, I’M SURE IT WILL BE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE BECAUSE IT’S FEDERALLY REGULATED AND IT WILL BE REVIEWED AND PROVIDED, YOU KNOW, AT THAT POINT IN TIME AND THAT INVESTIGATION HAS ALREADY BEGUN, I’M SURE IT HAS ALREADY BEGUN. YES. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE TO MOVE THAT RAIL CAR, AND WERE THERE ANY SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS AS YOU MOVED IT? WELL, ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID TODAY WAS TO CONTINUE, CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE TEMPERATURE IN THE CAR JUST TO MAKE SURE IT HAD REACHED A STABLE POINT. AS WE DID THAT TODAY, WE SAW NO BIG CHANGES IN TEMPERATURE. IT WAS NOT AN UNSAFE MOVEMENT. WE MOVED IT IN REGULAR TRAIN SERVICE. IT MOVED A COUPLE MILES DOWN THE ROAD AND WAS SPOTTED AT THE CUSTOMER’S FACILITY. HOW DID YOU GUYS HOW DID YOU GUYS STABILIZE IT? I MEAN, YOU SAID TEMPERATURE WISE, BUT IS IT BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING LEFT INSIDE OR THAT THE VALVE, THE WAY THE CHEMICALS WORK, IT HAS A STABILIZING AGENT IN IT. WHEN THE STABILIZING AGENT MOVES, IT BECOMES A FOAM AND IT JUST LOCKS UP INSIDE THE CAR. SO THERE’S NO MORE GAS INSIDE THE CAR. IT BECOMES A SUBSTANCE THAT INSIDE THE RAILCAR, THE ONLY THING THERE IS CAUSED BY THE HEAT OF THE CHEMICAL REACTION. AND THAT’S WHERE THE HEAT COMES. AND YOU WANT THE HEAT LEVEL TO BE AT A CERTAIN LEVEL, SO YOU DON’T HAVE VENTING OR ANYTHING ELSE WITH THE CAR. NO EXPLOSION RISK OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT IS A STYRENE IN THAT CAR USABLE? IS IT JUST DONE WITH IT? IT’S DONE. IT’S. IS SCHOOL BACK ON TOMORROW FOR THREE RIVERS AND THE OTHER THREE. YES. THREE RIVERS SCHOOL IS BACK ON FOR TOMORROW. AND THEY ARE ACTUALLY CURRENTLY AS WE SPEAK, GOING THROUGH THE SCHOOL, CHECKING THE SCHOOL FOR WHAT’S THE WORD I’M TRYING TO SAY, A RISK OF CONTAMINATION. RISK OF CONTAMINATION. THEY’RE ACTUALLY IN THE SCHOOLS RIGHT NOW DOING THAT. SO ARE THEY GOING TO BE TESTING THE RESIDENTS LIKE UP IN THEIR YARDS. AND THAT KIND OF THING WHEN YOU YEAH, IF YOU REACH OUT TO THE 211, THERE’S A PHONE NUMBER THAT’S SO I’M SORRY. EVERYBODY WOULD BE OKAY WITH YOU DOING THAT. THAT’S WHAT IT’S THERE FOR. YES, MA’AM. TO MAKE THAT CALL, WE HAVE TO CALL YOU GUYS, THOUGH, NOT US TWO. ONE ONE. THEY’LL HAVE THE INFORMATION FOR YOU. YES, MA’AM. WHAT WERE THE AIR QUALITY? I DON’T HAVE THE NUMBERS ON THAT. THEY WANT AIR QUALITY RESULTS. YEAH, YEAH. OKAY. GOOD. OKAY. YEAH. I’M WITH THE US EPA. THE AIR QUALITY THROUGHOUT THE NEIGHBORHOOD STARTING, I THINK AROUND 7 P.M. YESTERDAY. WE’VE BEEN CHECKING ALL NIGHT LONG, AND THE AIR QUALITY IS VERY GOOD. WE JUST NON-DETECT TO BACKGROUND VOCS. TOTAL VOCS, WHICH IN REALITY IS ACTUALLY A VERY GOOD SIGN. SO ARE THE NUMBERS THE HIGHEST RESULT WE GOT WAS LIKE 300 PARTS PER BILLION OF VOCS, WHICH IS AN EXTREMELY LOW NUMBER. AND IT MAY EVEN BE AN INTERFERENCE. SO IT MAY NOT EVEN BE RELATED TO THIS AT ALL. GREG HARTMANN WHICH VOC THAT’S A TOTAL VOC. IT’S A IT’S AN INSTRUMENT THAT MEASURES ALL VOCS. WE WERE HEARING THAT THIS TRAIN CAR MAY HAVE BEEN SITTING IN THIS SPOT FOR QUITE SOME TIME. CAN ANYBODY SPEAK TO THAT? HOW LONG? IT WAS SITTING THERE BEFORE THIS VALVE LEAK? YEAH, I BELIEVE THAT CAR WAS SITTING AT THAT LOCATION FOR ABOUT SEVEN DAYS. AND THE VENTING OF THE CAR WAS RECOGNIZED YESTERDAY AFTERNOON BY THE FIRST RESPONDERS. SO SO IS IT POSSIBLE THIS LEAK WAS HAPPENING AT SOME POINT OVER THE COURSE OF THOSE SEVEN, SEVEN DAYS? YEAH, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VENTING. SO IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COMING OUT THE TOP LIKE YOU SAW IN THE VIDEOS. SO IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE IT IF IT WAS VENTING FROM THE ROAD, WHY WAS IT THERE FOR SO LONG? I WAS WAITING TO BE MOVED INTO THE CUSTOMER SITE. IS THAT NORMAL FOR A RAILROAD TO HAVE CARS SIT THERE FOR A LONG TIME? IT COULD BE DEPENDING UPON HOW FULL THE SITE IS. IF THEY HAVE CAPACITY FOR IT OR NOT. WE KNOW THAT STYRENE CAN CAUSE CANCER WHEN PEOPLE ARE EXPOSED TO LARGE AMOUNTS OR THE AMOUNTS RELEASED OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF DAYS LARGE ENOUGH TO CAUSE CONCERN FOR FOLKS HERE. YEAH. I’LL JUST I’LL JUST SAY NOT EVEN CLOSE. ANY CANCERS THAT MAY HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH STYRENE. IT’S MORE LIKE AN INDUSTRIAL ACCIDENT WHERE PEOPLE ARE COVERED WITH FLUIDS AND SO THE VENTING THAT OCCURRED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE ISN’T EVEN CLOSE TO THAT TYPE OF EXPOSURE. SO WAS THERE AIR TESTING DONE BEFORE 7 P.M. LAST NIGHT? I DON’T KNOW ABOUT THAT. AIR TESTING WAS THERE TESTING OHIO RIVER TO CINCINNATI AND I THINK CINCINNATI HAZMAT TEAM DID PRIOR TO 7:00 LAST NIGHT. HOW WOULD WE GET THOSE RESULTS? THAT’S WHAT WE’RE WORKING ON WITH THE CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR CINCINNATI. YEAH. TO GET THOSE AND WE WILL POST THE RESULTS. YOU REALLY DON’T KNOW WHAT WE WERE EXPOSED TO THEN AT THIS POINT, RIGHT OUT OF THE GATE IS CLEARLY GOING TO HAVE SOME. WELL, I CAN TELL YOU, I HAD A FILM ON MY ARMS, I CAN TELL YOU THAT I HAD A FILM ON MY FACE. SO YOU’RE SAYING THAT IT’S INDUSTRIAL IS THE ONLY TIME THAT IT CAN BE CARCINOGEN? BUT AT THE SAME TIME WAS WE DO YOU KNOW THAT FOR SURE? I’M GOING TO LEAVE IT TO. YEAH. YES, MA’AM. YOU KNOW, IT’S IT’S IT’S UNLIKELY THAT THIS VAPOR WOULD ACTUALLY CAUSE A FILM, BUT IT CERTAINLY STUFF ON MY ARMS. YEAH, IT’S HARD TO SAY. RIGHT. WHAT THAT IS, I AGREE WITH YOU CAN’T SAY THAT WE WEREN’T EXPOSED AT THAT LEVEL THEN. IT’S VERY UNLIKELY. VERY UNLIKELY? YES, MA’AM. I ACTUALLY HAVE A MONTANA CHEMICAL COMPANY DOCUMENT FROM LAST YEAR OR HIS DIARY THAT SAYS THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE COVERED IN IT FOR IT TO BE CANCER. RIGHT. SO SIGNIFICANT RESPIRATORY EXPOSURES, RIGHT THERE WITHOUT A RESPIRATOR FOR. AND THAT’S ACTUALLY FOR INDUSTRIAL EXPOSURE. THAT’S EXACTLY RIGHT. I ACTUALLY READ THIS TO YOU BECAUSE IT’S NOT AGREEING WITH YOU. I MEAN I AGREE WE CAN WE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH THAT AFTERWARDS. WE’D LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE ON AND WE CAN DO IT ONE ON ONE. OKAY. GREAT. YES. TO BE CLEAR, DO WE KNOW WHAT THE AIR QUALITY READINGS ARE BETWEEN 1 P.M. YESTERDAY AND 7 P.M.? I DON’T KNOW, I DON’T KNOW THAT. YEAH. GO HOME. THE ONLY I DON’T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THE CINCINNATI FIRE DEPARTMENT ACTUALLY STARTED THE AIR READINGS. WE HAVE TO GET THOSE. WE HAVEN’T BEEN ABLE TO SECURE THOSE YET. WE STARTED WITH THE CONTRACTORS AS SOON AS THEY GOT ON SITE, ESTABLISHED THE AIR MONITORING. THOSE RESULTS HAVE BEEN PROVIDED. THEY’LL BE AVAILABLE, BUT WE DO NEED TO GET THE CINCINNATI STUFF. AND I DON’T KNOW WHAT TIME THEY STARTED MONITORING WHEN THEY GOT ON SITE. DO WE DO WE KNOW WHO OWNS THE RAILCAR THEY LEASE IT. YEAH. SO HAS ANY TESTING BEEN DONE ON THE SOIL IN HOOVEN? WHO OWNS TO WHERE PEOPLE ARE GOING AND LETTING THEIR ANIMALS BACK OUT IN THE YARD? DO WE HAVE SHOULD WE BE AFRAID THAT THAT’S GOING TO BE AN ISSUE? I MEAN, BECAUSE MY DOG GOES OUT THERE AND SHE LIKES TO EAT GRASS. SO MY FEAR IS MY DOG IS GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND EAT GRASS AND THEN GET REALLY SICK. AND I LOVE MY DOG AND BABY’S COMING IN AGAIN. THAT’S ANOTHER, ANOTHER THING THAT THE DOC EVEN REFERENCED THAT WE CAN CALL. YOU CAN CALL TWO, TWO, ONE ONE. YOU’RE NOT GOING TO ANSWER THAT. WE DON’T KNOW THE ANSWER. SO WE DON’T WANT TO MISLEAD. WE DON’T KNOW. BUT YOU’RE SENDING US HOME TO THAT. BUT THERE’S AGAIN 211 WILL HELP YOU WITH THAT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU SEND US HOME? WE HAD SOME PEOPLE WHO TRIED TO CALL IN A LITTLE BIT EARLIER TO 211. WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A LOT OF BACKLOG. ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT MAYBE AN OVERLOAD ON THE ON THE 211 SYSTEM? THAT WOULD BE A DIRECTOR QUESTION PEOPLE NOT BEING ABLE TO GET SO THEY HAVE A ROLLOVER SYSTEM IF DEPENDING ON HOW MANY CALLS THEY GET, THAT SECOND. SO THEY HAVE, I THINK 20 PLUS PHONE LINES THAT THAT CAN ANSWER. AND THEN THEY HAVE A BIGGER OVERLOAD SYSTEM. SO IF YOU EXPERIENCE A BUSY SIGNAL, JUST CALL BACK. AND THEIR SYSTEM SHOULD RIGHTSIZE. SO DO YOU RUN 211? NO. WHO DOES THE UNITED WAY. SO UNITED WAY IS GOING TO KNOW IF MY DOG CAN GO OUT IN THE YARD. WE GAVE MY GRANDDAUGHTER. WE GAVE INFORMATION TO 211 THAT THEY HAVE A FACT SHEET THAT THEY CAN ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE THAT. WE JUST DO. WE JUST DO NOT HAVE THAT EXPERT HERE CURRENTLY. PROBABLY SHOULDN’T TAKE MY GRANDDAUGHTER OUT IN MY YARD IS WHAT YOU’RE SAYING I HAVE. NO I AM NOT A HAZMAT EXPERT, BUT SOMEBODY HERE SHOULD BE RIGHT. YES, SIR. WELL, THE SMALL GUY WHO CAN’T AFFORD TO MISS WORK BE REIMBURSED FOR THE HOURS THEY MISSED. I ALSO HAD A QUESTION. OKAY, I CAN’T. YEAH. LOOK, I THINK WE’VE TRIED TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT WE WANT TO TRY TO TAKE CARE OF ANY ISSUES, WHETHER THAT’S HOUSING, FOOD, MISSED WORK, THINGS LIKE THAT. WE’RE CERTAINLY GOING TO STEP IN. SO JUST REACH OUT, TALK TO THE NUMBER WE GAVE, THE 800 NUMBER OR A REPRESENTATIVE WE HAVE HERE AT THE FACILITY. LET US KNOW WHAT WE’RE WORKING WITH. WE CAN WORK WITH YOU TO TO COME UP WITH A PLAN. SO WILL YOU PAY FOR US TO STAY OUT OF OUR HOUSES UNTIL WE CAN GET CLEAR TESTING THAT IT’S SAFE IN OUR YARDS FOR OUR ANIMALS AND THAT KIND OF THING AS WELL. I CAN’T ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS. ANY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? YES, MA’AM. ARE YOU AWARE OF PHERA TITLE THREE? THE COMMUNITY RIGHT TO KNOW ACT WHERE THEY DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT THEY’VE BEEN EXPOSED TO. AND THAT’S THEIR LEGAL AND YOU’RE LEGALLY ENTITLED TO PROVIDE THAT, RIGHT? WE’RE STILL GATHERING INFORMATION. WE’RE JUST TRYING TO CLOSE IT AT THIS IS HAPPENING. WE’RE JUST CLOSING THE INCIDENT RIGHT NOW. THERE’S PLENTY MORE TO FOLLOW. THERE’S WITH THEM THAT YOU CURRENTLY HAVE. RIGHT. WELL, I DON’T KNOW IF WE CAN. YEAH. SO. OKAY. YOU GUYS AREN’T GOING TO WITHHOLD THAT INFORMATION. THEY’RE LEGALLY ENTITLED TO YOU. RIGHT? NO. SO AT THIS YES, MA’AM. WHEN WILL THAT INFORMATION THAT YOU JUST SAID YOUR POST BE POSTED? AND WHERE WE’VE GIVEN IT TO, IT’S AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE WILL BE PUT ON OUR WEBSITE. SO HC.ORG DO WE HAVE A LINK ON THERE TO THAT PAGE. AND I’LL VERIFY BEFORE WE LEAVE THAT IT’S BEEN POSTED. WILL WE ALSO GET THE RESULTS FROM THE 1 P.M. TO 7 P.M. AS WELL? IF WE IF WE GET THOSE, WE’LL POST THEM AS WELL. ALONG WITH THAT, CAN WE CONTACT TO GET THEM. BECAUSE IT IS PUBLIC RECORD CORRECT. YES. SO CAN WE CONTACT ANYBODY? NO. SO AND WHAT? YES, MA’AM. WE’RE MOVING THE TRAIN CAR. THE LAST REASON, THE LAST THING NEEDED TO BE COOL TO SEND RESIDENTS BACK. YES, MA’AM. YES. THAT WAS THAT WAS THE INITIAL CONCERN. SO THAT HAS BEEN RESOLVED. SO AT THIS POINT I LIKE TO FINISH WHERE WAS THE FINAL DESTINATION? THE FINAL DESTINATION WAS THE INEOS FACILITY IN EDISON. I’VE GOT SOME QUESTIONS. MORE FOR THE RAILROAD. OKAY. I WORKED IN PRIVATE INDUSTRY, CHEMICAL PLANT FOR 28 YEARS. I WORKED FOR GOVERNMENT FOR 13 IN AND AROUND TANK CARS. THE RELIEF VALVE ON THE TANK CAR. THEY HAVE PROTOCOLS WHERE THEY’RE SUPPOSED TO BE TESTED AND OR REBUILT ON A ROUTINE BASIS. YOU KNOW, IF THAT’S BEEN DONE, I HAVEN’T SEEN THE SINCE. I DON’T OWN THE RAIL CAR, I HAVEN’T SEEN THE REPORTS ON IT. GIVEN THE FACT THAT IT HAS TO COMPLY WITH REGULATORY LAW, I MUST. THE ASSUMPTION IS NO, BUT WE CAN WE CAN GET THE RECORDS OF THAT. THEY’VE BEEN OUT OF DATE AND WE’VE LOADED THEM ON THE OTHER THING IS, SINCE IT’S A GASEOUS, YOU CAN ONLY FILL A CAR TO 80% BECAUSE OF EXPANSION, BECAUSE I GOT A 500 GALLON PROPANE TANK, I CAN’T PUT 500 GALLONS IN IT. I CAN PUT 400 IN IT. WAS IT POSSIBLY OVERFILLED? WHICH CAUSED THE RELIEF VALVE TO GO BECAUSE IT EXPANDED TOO MUCH? IT DIDN’T HAVE THE ROOM TO EXPAND WITHIN THE TANK CAR. I HAVE TO LOOK AT THE INFORMATION ON THE FILE. I DON’T HAVE THAT. BUT. BUT YOU ARE 100% CORRECT AND THE OTHER? THE OTHER THING IS, YOU KNOW, WE’VE HAD A DAY AND A HALF OF FIRE HOSES GOING ON THE TANK CAR HAS THERE BEEN ANY CONTAINMENT FOR THE RUNOFF GOING INTO THE GREAT MIAMI AND THE WHITEWATER RIVERS? OKAY. HAS HE GONE INTO IT? HASN’T. WELL, I HAVE I HAVE, I HAVE I, I OWN PROPERTY IN HOOVEN. MY SON LIVES IN A HOUSE I OWN IN CLEVES. IT’S WITHIN THE ZONE AND I LIVE IN WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP. I HAVE CISTERN WATER. MY WATER COMES FROM THE GREAT MIAMI OR THE WHITEWATER AQUIFER BECAUSE WE HAVEN’T HAD ANY RAIN FOR TWO MONTHS. SO I HAVE TO HAVE THE WATER HAULED IN. AM I SAFE TO HAVE WATER HAULED IN. I DON’T KNOW THAT ANSWER. YEAH, THAT’S WORTH A FOLLOW UP. WE CAN FOLLOW UP WITH THAT AFTERWARDS AND TRY TO GET IT. DOES THE RAILROAD PLAN? BECAUSE AT THIS TIME WE’RE GOING TO FINISH THIS THIS INTERVIEW. WE WE JUST LITERALLY CLOSED THE EVENT. THERE’S A LOT MORE TO FOLLOW. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. ANOTHER PRESS CONFERENCE BY CHANCE. NO, THERE WILL NOT BE. YOU ARE JUST JOINING US HERE FOR NEWS FIVE AT 7:00. WE HAVE BEEN LISTENING IN TO WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS AND HEALTH OFFICIALS FOLLOWING THAT DANGEROUS CHEMICAL LEAK THAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. THERE IN THAT AREA, THE BIG NEWS OUT OF THAT PRESS CONFERENCE IS THAT THE EVACUATION ORDER HAS BEEN LIFTED. AT THIS POINT, PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED TO GO BACK INTO
What we know: Evacuation order lifted after dangerous chemical leak
Updated: 7:47 PM EDT Sep 25, 2024
Evacuation and shelter-in-place orders have been lifted after a dangerous chemical leak in Whitewater Township.This is happening on U.S. 50, between State Route 128 and Valley Junction Road, not far from the Great Miami River.Below is everything you need to know about what happened and what emergency officials are saying.WHAT HAPPENEDA dangerous chemical leak occurred near State Route 128 and U.S. 50 around 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.In an update at 7 p.m. Wednesday night, officials said the train car that was leaking has been removed and taken to its original destination. There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.According to the Hamilton County EMA, the evacuation order has been lifted and residents are permitted to return to their homes.Around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, the Ohio Department of Transportation confirmed that roads at US 50 and State Route 128 are reopening to traffic.Central Railroad of Indiana, who owns the tracks, said the rail car began venting styrene around 1 p.m. Tuesday. The probable cause was the additive stabilizer in the car became ineffective. The car stopped venting late Tuesday night.Officials say the car worked exactly as it was designed, it was supposed to vent rather than explodeThere’s no product on the ground that they have identified. Air monitoring will continue over the next several days.The temperature in the car is at a safe range right nowU.S. EPA officials on scene say they have set up three fixed air monitoring stations and a rover collecting air quality readings. So far, the air quality has been deemed safe but will continue to monitorINEOS, a plastic resin manufacturer, either leases or owns the rail car. It was on the way to a facility down the road14 other cars on the track were also carrying styrene and have been moved to a facility to be monitoredThe railroad has set up a phone line for anyone who has issues: 1-800-757-7387Steve Feagins, director of Hamilton County Public Health, said styrene is a volatile liquid, meaning it evaporates almost immediately after it enters the air, so the likelihood of irritation or toxicity is very low. He says it is possible you may smell an odor, but it is well below any toxic levels. He also said he is not aware of any hospitalizations related to the event.Feagins said any food, including pet food, that was left outside before the evacuation should be disposed of out of precaution.Anyone who would like to have their water checked can call 513-946-7966, Feagins said. WHAT IS STYRENE GASAccording to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Styrene is a colorless, toxic, flammable liquid, which has a sweet odor. It’s widely used to make plastics and rubber.Siefke said health concerns with the chemical are that it can cause headaches, nausea and respiratory issues which is why they gave evacuation and shelter in place orders that have since been lifted.Vulnerable populations, like pregnant women, the elderly or those with respiratory issues, are advised to talk to your doctor if you think you could have been exposed.Steve Feagins, director of Hamilton County Public Health, said the likelihood of irritation or toxicity is very low. He says it is possible you may smell an odor, but it is well below any toxic levels. He also said he is not aware of any hospitalizations related to the event The Villages of Cleves Water Works is working with the United States Environmental Protection Agency on water monitoring but isn’t experiencing any issues related to the leak.President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation. His office says the administration has been in touch with state and local officials. HAS THIS HAPPENED BEFORE?In 2005, emergency officials responded to a styrene release from a rail car near Lunken Airport on the east side of Cincinnati.During the response, the Cincinnati Fire Department attempted to apply water to the rail car in an attempt to cool it down. A 1-mile radius evacuation was in place for several days as crews worked to stop the leak.REACTIONOhio Sen. Sherrod Brown released a statement on the chemical leak on Tuesday night, saying he is continuing to keep an eye on the situation.”I am monitoring the situation involving the train car chemical leak in Whitewater Township and urge residents to follow the guidance provided by the Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency. I thank the local emergency responders for their quick action,” the statement read.Ohio Sen. JD Vance also released a statement on the chemical leak in Whitewater Township, saying, “My team and I are closely tracking a potentially hazardous chemical leak coming from a railcar near Cleves, Ohio.”Vance went on to say that local authorities are working hard to keep the community safe.
Evacuation and shelter-in-place orders have been lifted after a dangerous chemical leak in Whitewater Township.
This is happening on U.S. 50, between State Route 128 and Valley Junction Road, not far from the Great Miami River.
Below is everything you need to know about what happened and what emergency officials are saying.
WHAT HAPPENED
A dangerous chemical leak occurred near State Route 128 and U.S. 50 around 1 p.m. Tuesday afternoon.
- In an update at 7 p.m. Wednesday night, officials said the train car that was leaking has been removed and taken to its original destination. There is no ongoing threat to the public at this time.
- According to the Hamilton County EMA, the evacuation order has been lifted and residents are permitted to return to their homes.
- Around 6 p.m. on Wednesday, the Ohio Department of Transportation confirmed that roads at US 50 and State Route 128 are reopening to traffic.
- Central Railroad of Indiana, who owns the tracks, said the rail car began venting styrene around 1 p.m. Tuesday. The probable cause was the additive stabilizer in the car became ineffective. The car stopped venting late Tuesday night.
- Officials say the car worked exactly as it was designed, it was supposed to vent rather than explode
- There’s no product on the ground that they have identified. Air monitoring will continue over the next several days.
- The temperature in the car is at a safe range right now
- U.S. EPA officials on scene say they have set up three fixed air monitoring stations and a rover collecting air quality readings. So far, the air quality has been deemed safe but will continue to monitor
- INEOS, a plastic resin manufacturer, either leases or owns the rail car. It was on the way to a facility down the road
- 14 other cars on the track were also carrying styrene and have been moved to a facility to be monitored
- The railroad has set up a phone line for anyone who has issues: 1-800-757-7387
- Steve Feagins, director of Hamilton County Public Health, said styrene is a volatile liquid, meaning it evaporates almost immediately after it enters the air, so the likelihood of irritation or toxicity is very low. He says it is possible you may smell an odor, but it is well below any toxic levels. He also said he is not aware of any hospitalizations related to the event.
- Feagins said any food, including pet food, that was left outside before the evacuation should be disposed of out of precaution.
- Anyone who would like to have their water checked can call 513-946-7966, Feagins said.
WHAT IS STYRENE GAS
According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Styrene is a colorless, toxic, flammable liquid, which has a sweet odor. It’s widely used to make plastics and rubber.
Siefke said health concerns with the chemical are that it can cause headaches, nausea and respiratory issues which is why they gave evacuation and shelter in place orders that have since been lifted.
Vulnerable populations, like pregnant women, the elderly or those with respiratory issues, are advised to talk to your doctor if you think you could have been exposed.
Steve Feagins, director of Hamilton County Public Health, said the likelihood of irritation or toxicity is very low. He says it is possible you may smell an odor, but it is well below any toxic levels. He also said he is not aware of any hospitalizations related to the event
The Villages of Cleves Water Works is working with the United States Environmental Protection Agency on water monitoring but isn’t experiencing any issues related to the leak.
President Joe Biden has been briefed on the situation. His office says the administration has been in touch with state and local officials.
HAS THIS HAPPENED BEFORE?
In 2005, emergency officials responded to a styrene release from a rail car near Lunken Airport on the east side of Cincinnati.
During the response, the Cincinnati Fire Department attempted to apply water to the rail car in an attempt to cool it down. A 1-mile radius evacuation was in place for several days as crews worked to stop the leak.
REACTION
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown released a statement on the chemical leak on Tuesday night, saying he is continuing to keep an eye on the situation.
“I am monitoring the situation involving the train car chemical leak in Whitewater Township and urge residents to follow the guidance provided by the Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency. I thank the local emergency responders for their quick action,” the statement read.
Ohio Sen. JD Vance also released a statement on the chemical leak in Whitewater Township, saying, “My team and I are closely tracking a potentially hazardous chemical leak coming from a railcar near Cleves, Ohio.”
Vance went on to say that local authorities are working hard to keep the community safe.
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