US authorities have begun a “controlled release” of vinyl chloride contained in the cars of a train that derailed in early February in East Palestine, Ohio. A loud bang was heard by residents.
A “controlled release” of chemicals, including vinyl chloride, began on Monday afternoon in Ohio, at the site of a train derailment, reports CNN. A “boom” was heard, before a large column of smoke rose. This decision was taken by the authorities of this American state, who actually fear an even larger explosion if nothing is done.
The derailment of the train took place this Friday, February 3, at the border of Ohio and Pennsylvania, and had caused a major fire. Some 2,000 residents, roughly half the population of East Palestine, had been ordered to evacuate their homes.
Call to evacuate
On Monday, residents of the region were again asked by the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania to evacuate the entire area concerned. Local authorities have ordered all residents within a 1.6 km radius of the disaster site to vacate the scene.
Five of the cars in the derailed train were carrying vinyl chloride, a chemical used in particular for the production of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Carcinogenic, vinyl chloride is also toxic to humans.
