Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine revealed Thursday that the Biden administration’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is still refusing to offer assistance for Ohio after the massive train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
Thirty-eight train cars of the 151-car Norfolk Southern train 32N originating from Madison, Illinois, derailed on February 3, prompting authorities to conduct a “toxic release” of hazardous chemicals on board the train. Those chemicals included vinyl chloride and ethylhexyl acrylate, which are considered carcinogens. According to the
National Cancer Institute, vinyl chloride exposure is associated with an increased risk of a rare form of liver cancer (hepatic angiosarcoma), as well as “primary liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), brain and lung cancers, lymphoma, and leukemia.”
“Ohio Governor Mike DeWine spoke with officials at the White House early this morning to address the need for federal help,” DeWine
said in a statement. “As a result of this conversation, the Governor has requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health and Emergency Response Team, and the CDC to provide on-the-ground assistance in East Palestine.”
“The DeWine Administration has been in daily contact with FEMA to discuss the need for federal support, however FEMA continues to tell Governor DeWine that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time,” he continued. “Governor DeWine will continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided.”