Allegheny County air quality remains unaffected by train derailment, officials say

Allegheny County officials say the county’s air quality hasn’t been affected by the Feb. 3 train derailment and subsequent controlled burn of hazardous chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio.

Officials said emissions would likely disperse before reaching the county, but they will continue to monitor the situation, according to a news release. There are at least 25 miles between the Ohio village and Allegheny County.

Up-to-date information about the county’s air quality can be found on its website.

The Norfolk Southern train was carrying hazardous chemicals when it derailed, causing a fire that burned for three days before the company’s emergency team started a controlled burn of five tanks of vinyl chloride to avoid an explosion. During the controlled burn, a dark mushroom cloud formed over East Palestine as phosgene and hydrogen chloride were released into the air.

Vinyl chloride, phosgene and hydrogen chloride are associated with various health risks, including cancers, respiratory problems, cardiovascular problems and skin irritation.

The county’s air quality monitors can detect several of the pollutants associated with the derailment and its aftermath, including vinyl chloride, the release said.

The controlled burn prompted a two-day evacuation of a 1-mile-by-2-mile area surrounding East Palestine. Though authorities say the Ohio village is now safe, some who live in and around East Palestine say they are experiencing health problems, according to Newsweek. Others have noticed dead animals in the area, NBC reported.

Last week, two Beaver County men filed a class-action lawsuit asking Norfolk Southern to pay for the medical monitoring of everyone who lives or works within a 30-mile radius of East Palestine. That radius includes all of Beaver County, parts of Allegheny County, parts of Butler County and the northern tip of Washington County.

On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro published a letter condemning Norfolk Southern for allegedly failing to immediately contact the state after the derailment. Shapiro said his office plans to take direct action against the corporation.