Ohioans worried about their health after train accident 0:44
(CNN) --
Residents of a small Ohio town whose lives have been upended since a train loaded with toxic chemicals derailed there earlier this month have pressed top officials about long-term health issues and expressed their growing distrust this Wednesday night during a public debate organized by CNN.
What happened in Ohio with the derailed train that spilled chemicals?
How toxic and dangerous is the spill?
Following the February 3 crash, angry and frustrated East Palestine residents questioned Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw on key issues including air and water safety, cleanup efforts and whether the chemicals released after the accident could have long-term effects on the health of their families and children, some of whom have said they are still feeling unwell weeks after the massive derailment.
Jim Stewart, a 65-year-old lifelong resident of East Palestine, said he is angry and disgusted by what has happened to his hometown.
"Now I don't feel safe in this city. It's been taken from me," Stewart told Shaw during the debate.
Stewart, who said she lived near where the train crashed, added that she experiences headaches after inhaling air near her home weeks after the derailment.
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"Now they shorten my life? I want to retire and enjoy it. How are we going to enjoy it? They burned me," Stewart said, addressing Shaw.
"They made me a furious man."
In response, Shaw apologized and promised to repair the damage through proper cleanup and reimbursement to residents.
But residents left the debate frustrated that many of their questions went unanswered, despite their repeated attempts to get clarity on security measures.
These are the conclusions of the public debate:
Concern for health
Experts have reported that the air and water in the area are safe.
However, some residents claimed to have suffered from headaches, dizziness, nausea and nosebleeds after the rail accident, health problems they claimed they did not have before the accident.
Courtney Newman, a mother and teacher in East Palestine, said she and her son have had some health problems after returning home.
"I took him to the pediatrician on Friday. They told me they didn't have any guidance from the CDC, the health department, there was nothing they could do," he said.
Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff noted that managing potential toxic exposures "may not be within the reach" of many physicians.
Vanderhoff advised that if someone feels they are not able to get the evaluation they feel they need, the state is making additional resources available.
Patients can ask their doctor to call the county Health Department to connect with toxicologists who can provide expert advice, Vanderhoff said.
The health department has also set up a clinic to help residents who don't have a doctor or just need extra support, he said.
Officials vow to stay in East Palestine and continue testing
Nene Stewart, a resident of East Palestine, told DeWine that she has been turning to bottled water because she isn't sure the water in her home is safe.
"I don't trust what they say," Stewart said Wednesday night.
"So I don't know who is telling the truth."
DeWine acknowledged that much work still needs to be done to ensure that all of the city's water sources are safe.
Those with private wells should not use the water until it is tested, he said.
Some streams and creeks are currently considered unsafe, and authorities are monitoring them through testing.
"We're not saying everything is perfect," DeWine said.
Ohio train derailment investigation continues 1:01
Authorities estimate that thousands of fish died from the pollution carried by streams and rivers.
On Wednesday, DeWine said the fish died within 24 hours of the release of the chemicals, and there is no evidence to show that the fish died after the initial release.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the results of municipal water samples in the city have shown "no concern for water quality."
DeWine also said he will provide East Palestine residents with "the best information" about the train derailment to try to ease their skepticism.
"Sometimes we don't know all the information," he said.
"Sometimes we receive data that may be wrong, but there is no way in the world that I am going to pass on to you or any other citizen data that I think is wrong."
EPA invokes "special authority" to hold Norfolk Southern accountable
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ordered Norfolk Southern to cover the full cost of cleanup after the rail accident.
Norfolk Southern is demanded to assume all the cleanup after the train derailment with toxic substances in Ohio
"EPA has special authority for situations like this, where we can force companies that inflict trauma and cause environmental and health damage to communities, as Norfolk Southern did, to fully clean up the mess they have caused and pay for it. "said EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
Norfolk Southern will be required to submit a work plan outlining how it intends to clean up water, soil and debris, as well as reimburse EPA for the cost of providing residents with a cleaning service for their homes and businesses, he said. .
Norfolk Southern will also be required to attend public meetings and explain its progress.
The demand to attend the meetings comes after company representatives failed to show up at a previous community town hall, claiming the employees faced threats.
"If Norfolk Southern decides it does not want to comply with the order, the EPA will step in to keep the service uninterrupted, carry out these tasks and fine the company up to $70,000. "And the law authorizes us to charge Norfolk Southern up to three times the amount that the cleanup costs us.
The company plans to take a number of steps to minimize the long-term impact of the chemicals on the soil and groundwater, including scrapping the tracks where the train derailed and removing the soil below, he explained. CEO Shaw.
Shaw added that his company is working with the EPA on a "long-term remediation plan."
Initially, Shaw said they thought they had an "environmentally sound plan based on engineering principles" to treat the soil where the chemicals were spilled, but, after community pressure, Norfolk Southern decided to remove the tracks entirely.
These works are expected to start early next month.
Shaw also stated that they will continue to monitor testing by various agencies and contractors and are preparing for groundwater testing in and around the site.
Parts of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, seen on February 4.
(Credit: Gene J. Puskar/AP)
Governor says he would spend the night in East Palestine after being pressured by a resident
After being pressured by a resident to stay in East Palestine, DeWine said he would spend the night in the town.
Resident Ben Ratner told the governor that he had only been in East Palestine for a few hours on visits and asked if he would stay near where the train derailed.
DeWine insisted that it seemed safe for him to spend the night in the area.
State officials and other experts intend to remain in the city until toxic chemicals from a train derailment earlier this month are cleaned up, DeWine said.
"There is concern that they will be left alone," DeWine said in response to a question about the future of East Palestine.
"We're going to stay there...and do what needs to be done."
The governor said he is making a commitment to East Palestine, and that officials will do "everything we can so that you have a great future and your children have a great future."
In response to a resident's question, Regan, the head of the EPA, also reassured residents that he would raise his children in East Palestine.
"I understand the skepticism, as a parent. As a parent first and foremost, I understand the skepticism, but what I can tell you is what the science tells us and that these readings are indicating that there are safe levels," Regan said.
"What the science tells us is that we haven't had readings that are above certain levels that could cause adverse health impacts."
The mayor is cautiously optimistic that the city will recover
During the debate, the mayor of East Palestine, Trent Conaway, stated that he is still looking for answers.
"There are a lot of fears in the city," especially among people who live near the train tracks where the accident occurred, Conaway said.
"They are justified and they need answers," Conaway said.
"And we'll get those answers."
He also noted that he is cautiously optimistic that his community will recover, noting assurances from officials and experts.
"This is going to be a very long process, and eventually we hope it comes to an end and it gets back to the way it was before and actually better than it was. That's our main goal," Conaway said.
Meanwhile, East Palestine business owners have also raised concerns about the stigma surrounding the city following the train derailment.
DJ Yokley, founder and CEO of Your Sports Network, asked the governor about plans to help small businesses stay on their feet as the chemical crisis persists, but DeWine did not offer a concrete answer.
"I'm not sure what we can do, but we're certainly going to look at it and see if there's definitely something we can do," DeWine said, adding that he has spoken with President Joe Biden on the matter.
Don Elzer, a business owner in the city, told Shaw that customers have dwindled since the accident.
Shaw said he has been in contact with Conaway to discuss plans on how to help the city's perception.
As part of that effort, Shaw said, he hired a resident to work with the community to help navigate how the company can best invest in East Palestine.
Residents remain skeptical
At the end of the discussion, many residents stated that their most pressing concerns had not been adequately addressed.
"To the CEO of Norfolk Southern, be a leader. Make changes. Do it today," said Jenna Giannios, a resident of East Palestine.
Nene Stewart reiterated her distrust of the company: "I don't believe what they say. I would believe it maybe if they did it tomorrow... Now we are all sick."
Jessica Conard, a lifelong resident of the town, warned other communities in Ohio and beyond of the risk.
"If you have a train nearby or a waterway nearby, this is also a problem for you," he said.
"Rise up, stay with us and we will fight until the promises are kept."
Andris Baltputnis, a former chemistry teacher, said he was "very encouraged" after the debate.
"Everything was going in a positive direction, and I think there are good things on the horizon," he said.
The residents' comments came after Shaw refused to answer repeated questions from residents about the accident investigation and details about what might have caused the derailment, saying he was "forbidden" to discuss the investigation.
"I am so sorry that this has happened to this community," he said.
"What I can do, and what I will do, is fix it."
"We're going to get the cleanup right, we're going to reimburse the citizens, we're going to invest in the long-term health of this community," Shaw said.
"I'm going to see this through to the end, and we're going to be here. And we're going to work with these community leaders to help them thrive."
Norfolk Southern also plans to review the results of the National Transportation Safety Board's investigation, as well as use the data to "figure out what we could have done better," adding that the company has already put in place new internal safety measures, without detailing what they consist of.
CNN's Elise Hammond contributed to this article.
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