Train Derailment Response - OH and PA Must Take Action!
Governor Mike DeWine (Ohio) and Governor Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania)
Residents in Ohio and Pennsylvania have been repeatedly told that they are “safe” after a Norfolk Southern train derailment caused a huge release of hazardous chemicals into the air, land, and water. Meanwhile, residents are continuing to report that they are experiencing health issues - from rashes to difficulty breathing - and are expected to navigate the emergency response and healthcare systems on their own.
This needs to change.
“Safe” means people can vacuum their homes without worrying about kicking up toxic pollution.
“Safe” means having independent test results that examine every necessary parameter and indicate there’s no harm.
“Safe” means being able to be in your home without the risk that health problems will develop months or years from now.
State officials in Ohio and Pennsylvania must take transparent, proactive steps to ensure that residents are able to access the information and support that they need. We, the undersigned, call on them to immediately do the following:
Provide medical monitoring. The states must monitor and track health concerns from this incident, and they must provide mobile clinics so that residents and first responders – anyone in the area who was exposed to the pollution – can access critical information about their health.
Support independent environmental testing. The state must provide funds for independent environmental testing. Residents are understandably skeptical that tests being paid for by Norfolk Southern are reliable and trustworthy. Access to independent water and soil testing should not be limited to people who can afford to cover the high costs.
Meet with residents regularly, in-person, on an ongoing basis. Information about this incident is complex, and more information comes out - whether accurate or not - by the hour. Residents deserve a space to have conversations with officials, to raise concerns, and to ask questions, and be given answers.
Governors from both states must work immediately with their environmental and health agencies to facilitate these actions in coordination with key stakeholders within impacted communities.
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To:
Governor Mike DeWine (Ohio) and Governor Josh Shapiro (Pennsylvania)
From:
[Your Name]
As Governor, you must take transparent, proactive steps to ensure that residents impacted by the Norfolk Southern train derailment - and the resultant release of hazardous materials into the land, water, and air - are able to access the information and support that they need. We, the undersigned, call on you to immediately do the following:
1) Provide medical monitoring. The states must monitor and track health concerns from this incident, and they must provide mobile clinics so that residents and first responders – anyone in the area who was exposed to the pollution – can access critical information about their health.
2) Support independent environmental testing. The state must provide funds for independent environmental testing. Residents are understandably skeptical that tests being paid for by Norfolk Southern are reliable and trustworthy. Access to independent water and soil testing should not be limited to people who can afford to cover the high costs.
3) Meet with residents regularly, in-person, on an ongoing basis. Information about this incident is complex, and more information comes out - whether accurate or not - by the hour. Residents deserve a space to have conversations with officials, to raise concerns, and to ask questions, and be given answers.
Governors from both states must work immediately with their environmental and health agencies to facilitate these actions in coordination with key stakeholders within the impacted communities.