Authorities in Ohio have given the go-ahead for municipal water to be used in a town where a train carrying chemicals derailed, after the accident sparked concerns about its potability.
The governor of this American state, Mike DeWine, on Wednesday, February 15, advised residents of the East Palestine locality to consume bottled water while awaiting test results.
These finally revealed "
no detection of contaminants
" and therefore "
municipal water can be drunk without risk
", tweeted the official.
"Making the Company Accountable"
On February 3, this derailment caused a huge fire and the evacuation of several hundred people.
Among other things, the train was carrying vinyl chloride, a carcinogenic and highly flammable chemical used in the manufacture of plastic.
The railway authorities had carried out " controlled
" releases
of this substance "
to avoid a possible explosion
", according to the governor's office.
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On February 8, the authorities announced that the evacuated residents could return to their homes “
in complete safety
”.
Residents, however, expressed concern.
Some 3,500 fish died in particular, according to the local department of natural resources.
The US Transportation Accident Investigation Board (NTSB) said its investigation into the causes of the derailment was continuing.
Governor DeWine promised to "
hold
the railroad to account".
She “
should pay for everything
,” he said.
"
They are responsible for what happened
."