Historic settlement for over 1,300 survivors of clergy and adult abuse within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment for justice.
January 22, 2025
Toxic chemicals released during a fire following a train derailment in Ohio have been carried across 16 states, endangering the health of countless residents, according to new research of federal data.
Researchers analyzed rain and snow water samples collected from 260 different sites spanning from northern Wisconsin to North Carolina. The results revealed levels of pH and some compounds that were the highest recorded over the past 10 years.
One of the researchers said he was surprised at the high contamination levels in the samples, noting “there was more than we ever would have guessed.” Researchers were also surprised to find very high pH levels in precipitation as far away as northern Maine. Rain at a high enough pH can burn human skin and damage flora and fauna.
About the 2023 Ohio train derailment
In February 2023, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Twenty of the train’s cars contained hazardous materials, including vinyl chloride and benzene. Two days after the derailment and subsequent fire, officials carried out a controlled burn of the vinyl chloride in one of the tankers.
Both the accident and the fire resulted in the emission of large amounts of hazardous compounds into the atmosphere over a period of several days. The combination of a long-burning fire and high winds led to the pollution spreading far and wide.
The Norfolk Southern train was carrying several toxic chemicals, many of which are highly flammable, including:
What is vinyl chloride?
Most vinyl chloride is used to make polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic and vinyl products. When burned or heated to a high enough temperature, vinyl chloride decomposes to become carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen chloride. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has classified vinyl chloride as a human carcinogen.
Exposure to vinyl chloride is associated with the following health effects:
What is benzene?
Benzene is a highly flammable chemical used to make other chemicals that are then used to make plastics, resins, nylon and synthetic fibers. Benzene is also used to make rubbers, dyes, detergents, pesticides, and some types of lubricants.
Exposure to benzene is associated with the following health effects:
How We Help Victims of Benzene Exposure
Seek justice with the help of our experienced attorneys. Our Dallas, Texas, law firm has battled corporate giants on behalf of individuals like you for 20 years, aggressively fighting to hold them responsible for dangerous chemicals and the personal injuries and cancers they cause. If you have suffered a catastrophic injury caused by dangerous products, we can help.
Our Results
Historic settlement for over 1,300 survivors of clergy and adult abuse within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, marking a pivotal moment for justice.
A Philadelphia jury awarded a record verdict against ExxonMobil for failing to warn about cancer risks due to benzene in its petroleum products.
Confidential settlement for the wife of a Rhode Island man who died of mesothelioma cancer after exposure to window glazing compound contaminated with asbestos.