Environmental and private property contamination following the Norfolk Southern chemical spill and chemical fires in Ohio
In February 2023, a train derailment in Ohio caused a chemical spill and fires releasing contaminants into the air, soil, waterways, and buildings. The authors conducted a rapid response which included six field investigations and bench-scale experiments to understand the chemical identity, fate, and exposure pathways after the evacuation order was lifted. Because the complexity, magnitude, and health threats posed to the community were not matched by efforts employed by the responding organizations, the population experienced continued exposures for months; workers as well as town visitors also experienced health symptoms.
This study revealed unaddressed human exposure pathways. Also identified were crucial gaps requiring improved decision-making and technologies. Recommendations to better protect human health and the environment before and during a response to chemical incidents are provided.