Ohio residents near Whitewater Township, a suburb of Cincinnati, are being urged to follow evacuation orders after a toxic chemical leak from a railcar raised serious health concerns. The leak, which began Tuesday, involves styrene, a hazardous chemical used in the production of plastic and rubber, that poses significant health risks, including respiratory issues, nausea, headaches, and potential organ damage with prolonged exposure.
Federal, state, and local authorities are working together to manage the situation, with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris receiving briefings on the leak. In a statement, the White House emphasized the importance of following evacuation orders, noting that the Federal Railroad Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency were actively assisting with hazardous materials operations and air quality testing. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed federal support was being deployed to the area to assist as needed.
The leak was detected on Tuesday afternoon when officials noticed a pressure release valve on the railcar venting styrene. The railcar was stationed between a highway and an asphalt plant, prompting emergency responses. Aerial footage showed firefighters working to contain the leak by spraying down the railcar.
Approximately 200 homes within a half-mile radius of the incident were evacuated, and residents just outside this area were advised to stay indoors and keep windows closed. Three school buildings were also evacuated, and all after-school activities were canceled as a precaution.
“This is going to be a slow process,” said Mike Siefke, chief of the Little Miami Joint Fire and Rescue District. He emphasized the need for caution in handling the situation and predicted that it would take time to ensure the area was safe for residents to return.
Residents in the evacuation zone are being asked to contact authorities if they need assistance in temporarily returning home to retrieve essential items like medications or pets. Meanwhile, the shelter-in-place order for areas outside the evacuation zone has been lifted.
The incident comes on the heels of a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last year, which also involved hazardous chemicals. That disaster led to heightened scrutiny of the rail industry and federal regulators, and new safety rules were introduced in its aftermath. Ohio’s U.S. Senators, Sherrod Brown and JD Vance, have both expressed concern and are closely monitoring the current situation.
As officials work to secure the area, residents remain displaced, waiting for the all-clear to safely return to their homes. Air quality assessments and careful management of the railcar continue to be a top priority as Ohio faces another hazardous materials emergency.