Evacuation order remains in effect for Ohio town where hazardous chemical spill occurred

WHITEWATER TOWN, OHIO – An evacuation order remained in effect for residents of an Ohio community Wednesday as crews continued to work at the scene of a dangerous chemical leak.

Styrene is a toxic and flammable chemical used in making plastic and rubber. It started leaking on Tuesday afternoon from a rail car in Whitewater Township, a community of about 6,000 people just west of Cincinnati. The Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency advised anyone within a half-mile (about a half-mile) of the area near U.S. Route 50 and the Great Miami River to leave immediately.

Tom Ciuba, a spokesman for the Central Railroad of Indiana, which operates the tracks, said Wednesday that the car was no longer breathing air. He said crews worked through the night to put water in the car, but it had not been removed from the tracks and would not be removed until officials determined it was safe to do so. He said air and water quality were being monitored and several roads near the area would remain closed indefinitely.

The White House said President Biden has been briefed on the spill and is in contact with state and local officials. Officials from the Federal Railroad Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency are on the scene to assist with hazardous materials operations and air quality testing.

The President has directed his team to provide all resources that may be needed. We urge residents to heed the warnings of emergency personnel, especially those who have been given evacuation orders.’

It is not yet clear when the evacuation order will be lifted. The area includes several businesses, homes and large areas of undeveloped land.

Several schools were closed after the leak and remained closed Wednesday. No injuries were reported.

Authorities said the pressure-relief valve in the railcar leaked styrene, which could cause headaches, nausea and breathing problems in the short term, and more serious health problems such as organ damage in the long term.

Last year, a train derailment in East Palestine, on the other side of Ohio, released dangerous chemicals into the environment. leakage and combustion days. The derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in February 2023 new safety rules and more reviews railway industry.