Posted By admin on February 23, 2023
Why this rising Italian politician is downplaying her Jewish roots Haaretz
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Why this rising Italian politician is downplaying her Jewish roots - Haaretz
Posted By admin on February 23, 2023
Jewish abortion supporters nationwide gather in person and online to observe Repro Shabbat JTA News - Jewish Telegraphic Agency
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Posted By admin on February 23, 2023
When Parade held its first Broadway preview at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre last evening, members of an antisemitic neo-Nazi group protested outside.
Parade, a revival of a 1998 musical written by Alfred Uhry and Jason Robert Brown, tells the story of the lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish man, in Georgia in 1915. The show had a critically acclaimed run off-Broadway at New York City this past fall starring Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond, and is set to open on Broadway on March 16. (Both stars returned for the Broadway run.)
"If there is any remaining doubt out there about the urgency of telling this story in this moment in history, the vileness on display tonight should put it to rest. We stand by the valiant Broadway cast that brings this vital story to life each night," producers said in a statement. "We stand by the valiant Broadway cast that brings this vital story to life each night."
Why did neo-Nazis protest Parade? Who is Leo? Here's everything you need to know:
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Parade tells the true story of Leo Frank, a Jewish man in Georgia. Frank was a factory manager who was accused of raping and murdering 13-year-old worker Mary Phagan in 1913. Frank was consistent in proclaiming his innocence, and the prosecution focused its case on testimony of factory janitor, Jim Conley. (Historians widely believe Conley was the actual murderer, as he was seen washing blood of his shirt.) Frank's housekeeper placed him at home at the time of the murder.
Antisemitism marred the entire trial. Historian Leonard Dinnerstein writes that one juror said before jury selection: "I am glad they indicted the God damn Jew. They ought to take him out and lynch him. And if I get on that jury, Ill hang that Jew for sure." Frank was sentenced to death.
He tried to appeal, but the case was not reopened. Georgia Governor Frank Slaton commuted Frank's sentence to life in prison, but after that news came out, a mob protested Slaton's home. Some time after, a group of men kidnapped Frank from a prison hospital, drove him 100 miles to Mary's hometown of Marietta, and lynched him.
In 1986, the State of Georgia issued a posthumous pardon, but did not proclaim his innocence, writing, "Without attempting to address the question of guilt or innocence, and in recognition of the States failure to protect the person of Leo M. Frank and thereby preserve his opportunity for continued legal appeal of his conviction, and in recognition of the States failure to bring his killers to justice, and as an effort to heal old wounds, the State Board of Pardons and Paroles, in compliance with its Constitutional and statutory authority, hereby grants to Leo M. Frank a Pardon."
Ben Platt as Leo Frank in Parade.
The musical is a dramatization of what happened to Frank during the trial and after. When the show initially premiered in 1988, it won the Tony for Best Book and Best Original Score.
The show was revived this fall at New York City Center, starring Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond as Leo and Lucille Frank. The revival then began previews on Broadway at the Jacobs Theater on February 21, 2023.
"Parade would be a piece of art worth viewing and telling regardless of its contemporary relevance," Platt told Vogue, speaking about rising antisemitism in America. "But its just really rare to have a piece where you feel that, as an artist, you would do it no matter the context, but then as a human, its a story thats important to tell, and theres a real reason to do it now."
As theatergoers lined up outside, members of a neo-Nazi group, identified with the National Socialist Movement, carried posters and handed out flyers accusing Leo Frank of being a pedophile and child murderer, and shouted antisemitic and racist slurs.
The group, like other antisemitic groups, believe Frank is guilty of murder of Mary. According to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, " That allegation is frequently made by neo-Nazis who reject the consensus that Frank was innocent of the crime. They see the advocacy on his behalf as evidence of Jewish control of the media, a longstanding antisemitic trope."
"The Leo Frank case is interesting in that youre never going to meet a Nazi who doesnt know about it," Heidi Beirich, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, told the Washington Post in 2017.
Flyers the group handed out included the logo of the Schutzstaffel, or the SS, a paramilitary group in Nazi Germany.
"For those who dont know, there were a few neo-Nazi protesters from a really disgusting group outside of the theater, bothering some of our patrons on their way in and saying antisemitic things about Leo Frank, who the show is about, and just spreading antisemitic rhetoric that led to this whole story in the first place.," star Platt said on Instagram after the performance.
He continued, "It was definitely very ugly and scary, but a wonderful reminder of why were telling this particular story and how special and powerful art and, particularly, theatre can be. And it made me feel extra, extra grateful to be the one to get to tell this particular story and to carry on the legacy of Leo."
Platt added, "I just think that now is really the moment for this particular piece. I wanted the button on the evening, at least for me personally, to be to celebrate what a beautiful experience it is, and what gorgeous work all my wonderful colleagues did tonight. Not the really ugly actions of a few people who are spreading evil."
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Support flooded Platt's Instagram comments section. Danny Burstein, who recently starred in Moulin Rogue!, wrote, "I simply cannot wait to see your show and support every single one of you. I love you and am so proud of you. Not just for your years of beautiful work, but for your kindness, calm & love in the face of evil. As if I could love you more. See you soon, my friend." Singer Ariana Grande commented, "love you."
Other cast also spoke out on their Instagram. Prentiss E. Mouton, a swing, posted on his Instagram story with a video of the street: "Are you really doing the real work of an artist if you aren't be[ing] protested by Neo-Nazis? If I wasn't proud enough to be a part of this production, it was solidified today." Douglas Lyons, who plays Riley, wrote: "To the Nazis who protested our beautiful show with hatred directly outside our dressing rooms, fear dont work here baby. We gon tell the story and we gon tell it with conviction."
Parade on Broadway is currently in previews, and opens on March 15, 2023.
Emily Burack (she/her) is the news writer for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, culture, the royals, and a range of other subjects. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.
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Posted By admin on February 19, 2023
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Posted By admin on February 19, 2023
The Synagogue
In all cultures, houses of worship are important parts of the community. These buildings are rarely just churches, but also serve as community centers, schools, and social places. In few faiths is this as true as in Judaism. In fact, the Jewish house of worship can be identified by three names in Hebrew. Some call it the bet ha-tefilla (house of prayer), while others call it the bet ha-knesset (house of assembly) or bet ha-midrash (house of study). Most of us, however, call it by the name used by the Greeks: the synagogue.
Synagogues are Jewish houses of worship, but are also the centers of many Jewish communities. Community events, family celebrations, and local rallies or debates can all occur in the synagogue. Jewish people can come to the synagogue to study their history, laws, and faith.
Synagogues are very important parts of Jewish communities, and that importance is represented even in the ways that these institutions are founded. Unlike many religions that govern the building of new churches, synagogues are entirely community founded and governed. A Jewish community doesn't need permission from a central authority to found a synagogue; the community just comes together and creates one. After that, a council of community members is in charge of governing the synagogue, including the hiring of a rabbi. Overall, they are very democratic, community-driven institutions that are able to focus their efforts on issues that matter most to the people that use it.
One thing that makes synagogues unique from many other religious buildings is the lack of standardized architecture. Catholic churches are shaped like crosses, Buddhist stupas mimic mountains, but synagogues can take any shape or form. Part of this may relate to Jewish history: After being expelled from Jerusalem, Jews were often marginalized and segregated from mainstream society. Utilizing local architecture may have been a survival strategy that helped them blend in.
That being said, there are a few things that every Jewish synagogue has in common. The most important element of every synagogue is the ark, a cupboard or container where the scrolls of the Torah (the Jewish holy book) are stored. The first ark was the Ark of the Covenant, which Moses used to carry the Ten Commandments, and this feature in the synagogue honors that tradition. In fact, it's common for the Ten Commandments to be written in Hebrew somewhere on or around the ark.
Hanging above the ark is a lamp called the Ner Tamid, the Eternal Light. This light represents the constant presence of God in the synagogue, as well as the commandment to keep a fire burning outside the ancient tabernacle, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. Since it's called the Eternal Light, it shouldn't be a surprise to learn that it is always kept burning. As long as God is in the synagogue, the eternal flame must continue to shine.
Finally, synagogues contain a raised platform or desk called the bimah. When the Rabbi takes the Torah scrolls out of the ark, they are unrolled on the bimah and read to the congregation.
It is worth noting that, while all synagogues serve the same basic functions for Jewish communities, there are some things that change by denomination. For example, Orthodox Jews tend to place the bimah in the center of the synagogue, while Reform Jews often place the bimah closer to the Ark.
There are other differences as well. In Orthodox synagogues, men and women sit separately, and the music is unaccompanied. In Reform synagogues, men and women may sit together and choirs are becoming more popular. Orthodox synagogues hold their entire worship services in ancient Hebrew, while Reform services are at least partly in English (or the language spoken by the community). Reforms Jews are also the least likely to use the term ''synagogue''. They call their synagogues ''temples'', seeing each one as an equivalent to the destroyed Temple in Jerusalem that Orthodox Jews prophesy says will be one day rebuilt. So, there are differences, but in all Jewish communities the importance of the synagogue is unquestioned.
In the religion of Judaism, the synagogue is a house of worship, a community center, and a school all rolled into one. Jewish synagogues are community-operated, autonomous institutions built to accommodate the specific needs of their community. They do not have an architectural template to follow, but do contain some common features. The ark contains the Torah scrolls, the Eternal Light above the ark represents the presence of God, and the bimah is used to unroll the scrolls so they can be read. Reform and Orthodox Jews do have different customs within their synagogues, but the importance of this building is unchanged. For many, to be Jewish is to be near a synagogue. They're that important.
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Synagogue Facts & Features | What is a Synagogue? | Study.com
Posted By admin on February 17, 2023
The train derailment in Ohio that spewed out boiling gas, prompting officials to then burn vinyl chloride in five tanker cars in an attempt to dispose of the toxic chemical in a controlled setting, has prompted a water utility as far away as West Virginia to take added precautions as health concerns mount.
West Virginia American Water said Sunday that it was enhancing its water treatment process as a precaution following the derailment of a train hauling chemicals that later sent up a toxic plume in East Palestine, Ohio, which sits near the border to Pennsylvania. The water utility is also going to install a secondary intake on the Guyandotte River in case there is a need to switch to an alternate water source.
The utility noted that there has not been any change in raw water at its Ohio River intake.
"The health and safety of our customers is a priority, and there are currently no drinking water advisories in place for customers," the company said in a statement.
BODYCAM FOOTAGE OF NEWSNATION REPORTER'S OHIO ARREST RELEASED
A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, Feb. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, file)
In an interview Sunday, East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway told WFMJ that all burning chemicals have been completely put out, but a "massive clean up project" continues with tanker trucks and portable tanks brought in. U.S. and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency officials are monitoring the situation daily, he said.
"The reason for no press conference is right now its a slow process. Were trying to be upfront with people," Conaway said. "I think its going to take a very long time to recover from this."
"Its concerning to me, but the citizens also have to be aware. We have a closed water system. So the water system in the actual village of East Palestine is 100% safe," the mayor said. "Were getting the same numbers from two Thursdays ago before the accident its the same numbers. Our well field is way west of where the accident is and the creek where the water goes down."
About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed on Feb. 3 in the Ohio village of East Palestine. No one was injured in the derailment that investigators said was caused by a broken axle.
A drone photo shows continued cleanup efforts on Feb. 9, 2023, of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Three days after the accident, authorities decided to release and burn vinyl chloride inside five tanker cars, sending hydrogen chloride and the toxic gas phosgene into the air. The move was meant to get rid of highly flammable, toxic chemicals in a controlled environment and created a dark plume of smoke.
Environmental regulators have been monitoring the air and water in surrounding communities and have said that so far the air quality remains safe and drinking water supplies have not been affected. However, some residents have complained about headaches and feeling sick since the derailment.
WKBN reported that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sent a letter to rail operator Norfolk Southern stating that another three chemicals ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate and isobutylene were also in the rail cars that were derailed, breached and/ or caught fire.
A Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, is seen on fire around midday on Feb. 4, 2023. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
According to the outlet, ethylhexyl acrylate is a carcinogen that upon contact can cause burning and irritation in the skin and eyes. Inhaling the chemical can irritate the nose and throat and cause coughing and shortness of breath. Inhaling isobutylene, meanwhile, can cause dizziness and drowsiness.
A town hall is scheduled for Wednesday at the East Palestine High Schools auditorium to respond to residents' concerns.
Environmental activist Erin Brockovich said in an interview with News Nation that community members should document what is happening to their own health and take video of any wildlife or fish dying. A federal lawsuit filed Thursday by two Pennsylvania residents calls for Norfolk Southern to pay for medical screenings and related care for anyone living within a 30-mile radius of the derailment to determine who was affected by toxic substances released afterward.
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Residents from nearby neighborhoods in Ohio and Pennsylvania were evacuated because of health risks from the fumes but have since been allowed to return.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace.
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Ohio train derailment prompts water utility across state lines to take ...
Posted By admin on February 17, 2023
The plume created by last week's burn of chemicals from a Norfolk Southern train in East Palestine had moved south along the Ohio River to Gallipolis, Ohio, state Environmental Protection Agency officials said.
The plume of butyl acrylate a compound used in paints, plastics and other products is expected to be near Huntington, West Virginia sometime Friday, the agency said. Testing results showed butyl acrylate in the water at levels below 3 parts per billion well below the 560 parts per billion considered hazardous by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No vinyl chloride, which was intentionally burned to avoid an explosion, has been detected in the Ohio River, EPA officials said.
The Ohio EPA cleared East Palestine residents to drink village water on Wednesday, over a week after a fiery train derailment caused toxic chemicals to be released in the village.
An eastbound Norfolk Southern Railway freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3, causing damage to about 50 cars, 11 of which contained hazardous materials. Vinyl chloride, a gas contained in five of the cars, was released and burned to prevent an explosion, causing toxic fumes to be released in the area. Residents were allowed to return home last week.
Here's what we know as of Thursday.
A Norfolk Southern freight train derailed on Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio, and remained on fire the next day.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine on Thursday requested federal assistance on the ground in East Palestine, according to the governor's office.
DeWine spoke with White House officials early Thursday morning and requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health and Emergency Response Team, and the CDC. DeWine asked the CDC to send physicians and professionals who can examine and evaluate residents who are experiencing symptoms.
Coverage of the East Palestine train derailment is being provided for free. Subscribe today to support local journalism and access all of our content online.
"Some community members have already seen physicians in their area but remain concerned about their condition and possible health effects both short- and long-term," he wrote in a Thursday letter to the CDC.
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Ohio is not eligible for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency at this time, DeWine's office said.
Hundreds of East Palestine residents attended a meeting at East Palestine High School Wednesday evening to voice concerns and frustrations over the train derailment. But one key voice was missing: Norfolk Southern.
Mayor Trent Conaway told reporters immediately before the event that residents wouldn't get an opportunity to question the rail company involved in the incident, saying that Norfolk Southern backed out of the open house meeting.
'Why are people getting sick?'East Palestine residents voice concerns; Norfolk Southern skips meeting
The mayor reiterated during the meeting that he invited Norfolk Southern "many times."
Other officials, including members of the state and federal environmental protection agencies, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health and U.S. Rep. Bill Johnson, R-Marietta attended the meeting to try to provide some answers to residents exposed to dangerous chemicals released into the air from the derailment and through a controlled burn.
Officials explained that in some cases a smell may persist in the area but that may not mean the air is at dangerous levels. They also assured residents they can use their water.
The day after Norfolk Southern representatives skipped the town hall, Norfolk Southern CEO Alan Shaw sent a letter to residents pledging not to abandon the community.
"I know you also have questions about whether Norfolk Southern will be here to help make things right," Shaw wrote. "My simple answer is that we are here and will stay here for as long as it takes to ensure your safety and to helpEast Palestinerecover and thrive."
The Ohio EPA said East Palestine residents can safely drink village water on Wednesday, according to a release issued by Gov. Mike DeWine. The agency tested five wells that feed into East Palestine's municipal water system and no raw contaminants were detected.
Chemicals from the derailment were detected in creeks and streams near the village after the derailment, leading to thedeaths of around 3,500 fish. Ohio Department of Natural Resources director Mary Mertz said Tuesday the department hasn't seen an increase in fish deaths since the first couple of days after the incident, and there are no signs of non-aquatic life being harmed.
Norfolk Southern is also actively aerating Sulphur Run and has contained 1.3 miles of the waterway, Tiffany Kavalec, chief of the division of surface water at the Ohio EPA, said Tuesday.
"Sulphur Run remains contaminated but we're confident that it is contained," she added.
Acid rain could have formed after the controlled release and burn of chemicals on Feb. 6, Kevin Crist, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and the director of the Air Quality Center at Ohio University, said. If it did form and fall, it would have most likely occurred downwind of East Palestine.
"There would maybe be localized problems, but once that plume is gone, it's gone. Unless it's sticking to a residue," Crist said.
Vinyl chloride in the atmosphere breaks down into hydrochloric acid, a component of acid rain. East Palestine residents may want to wipe down surfaces in homes for possible residual material, Crist added.
The National Transportation Safety Board is still investigating what caused the train to derail. The board said Tuesday investigators identified the rail car that initiated the derailment and have surveillance video that showing what appears to be a wheel bearing in the final stage of overheat failure moments before the derailment. A preliminary report is expected to be published in two weeks.
Norfolk Southern has declined to share the route the train traveled before reaching East Palestine. But the two potential routes put the train on a path through several larger cities such as Cleveland or Mansfield.
At a press conference on Tuesday, Gov. DeWine said he talked to the CEO of Norfolk Southern and received promises that the railroad will stay in East Palestine until the situation is remediated.
"If they don't, we've got an attorney general that will file a lawsuit," the governor said. "They're responsible for this. They did it. The impact on this community is huge not just physical problem that might be caused, but the inconvenience, the terror."
East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment:Photos show fallout
Norfolk Southern is a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Corp., a transportation company headquartered in Atlanta.
Alan Shaw is the CEO and president of Norfolk Southern Corp.
East Palestine train derailment:Water works monitors for hazardous chemical in Ohio River
A controlled release and burning of vinyl chloride caused a black plume to rise over East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 6.
During Tuesday's press conference, DeWine said he was made aware on Feb. 5 that one car containing vinyl chloride was at risk of exploding. DeWine said responders were faced with "two bad options:" allow the car to explode, which could launch deadly shrapnel with a near-one-mile trajectory, or vent and burn the chemical.
DeWine said Ohio and Pennsylvania authorities communicated with Norfolk and decided to prevent the explosion. Remaining East Palestine residents were evacuated from the area, and Norfolk executed the controlled release and burn of the vinyl chloride in five cars around 4:15 p.m. on Feb. 6, creating a large plume above the village.
Authorities and Norfolk Southern have not publicly stated how much vinyl chloride was released, but a federal lawsuit filed Thursday estimates 1.1 billion pounds of the chemical was spilled during the fire and derailment.
Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wrote a letter to Norfolk CEO Alan Shaw on Tuesday expressing his concern with the company's response after the derailment. Here are some things the governor said:
Norfolk Southern did not immediately notify the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection or the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency about the derailment, and the agencies instead found out independently a few hours later.
Norfolk Southern failed to implement unified command, creating confusion and lack of awareness in the response.
Norfolk Southern did not indicate to state and local responders that it was going to vent and burn all five cars with vinyl chloride, rather than just the one that was at risk of exploding. The company also failed to say how many cars contained hazardous chemicals.
Norfolk Southern did not want to explore possible alternatives to venting and burning the vinyl chloride. "Norfolk Southern failed to explore all potential courses of action, including some that may have kept the rail line closed longer but could have resulted in a safer overall approach for first responders, residents and the environment," the governor wrote.
Vinyl chloride is a colorless gas used to make polyvinyl chloride, the hard plastic resin in plastic products, like credit cards, car parts, PVC pipe and more. Vinyl chloride exposure is associated with an increased risk of a rare form of liver cancer as well as brain and lung cancers.
Burning it sends phosgene, a toxic gas that was used as a weapon during World War I, and hydrogen chloride into the air, which is why residents had to be evacuated. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said it is continuing to monitor the air quality in East Palestine following the release.
The rail cars contained vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and isobutylene, the EPA said in a letter to Norfolk Southern on Friday.
Days after the fiery derailment, the mainlines of the track were once again operational on Feb. 7.
Both mainlines were restored to service Feb. 7, one day after the vinyl chloride release, according to Norfolk Southern.
Norfolk Southern issued its remediation plan to the Ohio EPA on Monday. On Wednesday, the company said it has:
Completed more than 400 in-home air tests, none of which have yielded concerning results.
Implemented an outdoor air-monitoring programin East Palestine and the broader region.
Is actively sampling thevillage'sdrinking water supply.
Has distributed over$1.5 millionin direct financial assistance to more than affected 1,000 families.
Established a$1 millionfundfor the community for immediate use.
No injuries to the train crew, first responders or community members have been reported, according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
A look at the data:How often do train wrecks spill hazardous chemicals into neighborhoods?
Attorney General Dave Yost said Wednesday that his office is dropping the charges against NewsNation reporter Evan Lambert, who was arrested whilereporting on the train derailment in East Palestine.
Local prosecutors had charged Lambert with misdemeanor criminal trespassing and resisting arrest, but referred the case to Yost's office.
While journalists could conceivably be subject to criminal charges for trespassing in some situations, this incident is not one of them," Yost said."The reporter was lawfully present at a press conference called by the Governor of the state.His conduct was consistent with the purpose of the event and his role as a reporter.
The village of East Palestine, Ohio, is about 50 miles northwest of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and about 21 miles south of Youngstown, Ohio. It is part of Columbiana County.
Sen. J.D. Vance addressed the derailment in a statement on Monday. The Ohio senator said he was "horrified" by the wreck and has been in constant communication with local officials, residents and DeWine's office.
"This is a complex environmental disaster with impacts that may be difficult to assess in the short term," Vance said. "Long-term study will be imperative. As will long-term commitment to remediation by Norfolk Southern for the property damaged, the wildlife disrupted and the community scarred by this accident."
Read his full statement here.
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Latest updates about the Norfolk Southern train derailment in Ohio
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East Palestine train derailment updates: Chemical plume moves toward ...
Posted By admin on February 17, 2023
There were more toxic chemicals aboard the train that derailed in Ohio than originally reported, new data shows.
State health officials were initially concerned about the presence of vinyl chloride, a highly volatile colorless gas produced for commercial uses, which spilled after about 50 cars on a Norfolk Southern Railroad train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 3 while traveling from Illinois to Pennsylvania. Other toxins, like phosgene and hydrogen chloride, were emitted in large plumes of smoke during a controlled release and burn, prompting officials to issue mandatory evacuation orders in a one-mile radius of the crash site.
A list of the cars that were involved in the derailment and the products they were carrying released by Norfolk Southern reveal several more toxic chemicals that were released into the air and soil following the crash.
Firefighters battle a blaze from a train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 4, 2023.
Gene J. Puskar/AP
Among the substances were ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate and isobutylene were also in the rail cars that were derailed, the list shows.
Contact with ethylhexyl acrylate, a carcinogen, can cause burning and irritation of the skin and eyes, and inhalation can irritate the nose and throat, causing shortness of breath and coughing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Inhalation of isobutylene can cause dizziness and drowsiness as well, while exposure to ethylene glycol monobutyl ether can caused irritation in the eyes, skin, nose and throat, as well as hematuria, or blood in the urine, nervous system depression, headache and vomiting, according to the CDC.
The toxins that burned in the wreckage had the potential to be deadly if officials did not order evacuations in the region, experts told ABC News last week. However, once the controlled burn was complete, the only risk of coming in contact with the toxins was if they were embedded in the soil, which then had to be dug out, Kevin Crist, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering and director of Ohio Universitys Air Quality Center, told ABC News last week.
The evacuation orders for the residents in East Palestine were lifted on on Feb. 8 after air and water samples that were collected in the region were deemed safe.
The cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed Friday night in East Palestine, Ohio, continues, Feb. 9, 2023.
Gene J. Puskar/AP
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said Monday evening that has not yet detected any concerning levels of toxins in the air quality that can be attributed to the crash since the controlled burn was complete. There are six EPA staffers and 16 contractors on the ground to assist with air monitoring actions, according to the agency.
"Residents may still smell odors from the site," the EPA said, suggesting that those experiencing any symptoms call their medical provider.
The EPA has also screened 291 homes near the crash site and has not detected any levels of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride, the agency said. As of Monday, 181 homes still needed to be screened.
Local schools and the library were screened on Sunday, according to the agency.
A lawsuit filed by two residents of East Palestine on Feb. 9 called for the rail operator to pay for medical screenings and related care for anyone living within a 30-mile radius of the crash site, as well as undetermined damages, The Associated Press reported.
Some of the toxins spilled into the Ohio River near the northern panhandle of West Virginia, causing officials to shut down water production in the area and transfer to an alternate source of water supply, West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice told reporters during a news conference on Feb. 8.
A black plume rises over East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of a controlled detonation of a portion of the derailed Norfolk Southern trains, Feb. 6, 2023.
Gene J. Puskar/AP, FILE
While Justice emphasized that "everything is fine here" due to the immediate action from agencies like the state's Department of Environmental Protection and the National Guard, water utility company West Virginia American Water is continuing to enhance its water treatment process as a precaution, according to the AP.
The water utility installed a secondary intake on the Guyandotte River in the event that they need to switch to an alternate water source, the AP reported.
A town hall has been scheduled to take place on Wednesday at 7 p.m. to allow residents to ask questions about the effects of the derailment, East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway announced in a press release on Sunday.
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There were more toxic chemicals on train that derailed in Ohio than ...
Posted By admin on February 17, 2023
Smoke rises from a derailed cargo train in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 4. Dustin Franz/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
Smoke rises from a derailed cargo train in East Palestine, Ohio, on Feb. 4.
Health and environmental concerns are mounting in East Palestine, Ohio, after several derailed train cars released toxic fumes last week.
On Feb. 3, about 50 cars of a Norfolk Southern train went off track in Ohio, causing a days-long fire in the area. Ten of the 50 derailed cars contained hazardous chemicals including butyl acrylate and vinyl chloride, which were among combustible liquids that authorities feared could set off a major explosion.
Residents of East Palestine were later asked to evacuate out of precaution. On Monday, Feb. 6, crews conducted what officials called a "controlled release" of the hazardous chemicals, which caused a large plume of black smoke.
The evacuation order was lifted on Wednesday and since then, there have been a growing number of reports about people experiencing a burning sensation in their eyes, animals falling ill and a strong odor lingering in the town.
Some business owners and East Palestine residents have filed lawsuits against Norfolk Southern, saying the company was negligent and demanding the company fund court-supervised medical screenings for serious illnesses that may be caused by exposure to those chemicals.
Local officials have insisted that the air is safe to breathe and the water is safe to drink in East Palestine.
The Environmental Protection Agency, which has been monitoring the air quality, said it has not detected "any levels of concern" in East Palestine as of Sunday.
The agency added that vinyl chloride and hydrogen chloride have not been detected in the 291 homes that have been screened as of Monday. There are 181 homes left to be evaluated in the voluntary indoor air screening program.
On Sunday, the EPA released a list, written by Norfolk Southern, of the toxic chemicals that were in the derailed cars. In addition to vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate, it mentions ethylhexyl acrylate, which can cause headaches, nausea, and respiratory problems in people exposed to it; as well as isobutylene, which can make people dizzy and drowsy.
Of particular concern is the vinyl chloride, which was loaded on five cars a carcinogen that becomes a gas at room temperature. It it commonly used to make polyvinyl chloride or PVC, which is a kind of plastic used for pipes, wire and cable coatings and car parts.
When vinyl chloride is exposed in the environment, it breaks down from sunlight within a few days and changes into other chemicals such as formaldehyde. When it is spilled in soil or surface water, the chemical evaporates into the air quickly, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
Breathing or drinking vinyl chloride can cause a number of health risks including dizziness and headaches. People who breathe the chemical over many years may also experience liver damage.
The EPA has been monitoring for several other hazardous chemicals, including phosgene and hydrogen chloride, which are released by burning vinyl chloride. Exposure to phosgene can cause eye irritation, dry burning throat and vomiting; while hydrogen chloride can irritate the skin, nose, eyes and throat, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Columbiana County Health Department told residents to reach out to their medical provider if they experience symptoms.
The harmful effects of these toxic chemicals largely depend on the concentration and exposure.
"Now that we are entering into a longer-term phase of this, people are going to be concerned about the long-term chronic exposure that comes at lower levels," said Karen Dannemiller, a professor at Ohio State University who studies indoor air quality.
She added that indoor spaces can be an important point of exposure, which is why she urges East Palestine residents to take part in the EPA's at-home air screening.
Dannemiller recommends that residents wipe down surfaces, especially areas that collect dust, and wash items that absorb smells, such as bedsheets and curtains. She also advises vacuuming carefully in short bursts to try to prevent contaminants from moving into the air.
Air cleaners and masks are likely no match for hazardous chemicals like vinyl chloride because of their tiny molecules, Dannemiller told NPR.
Julie Grant of The Allegheny Front contributed reporting.
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Health concerns grow in East Palestine, Ohio, after train derailment
Posted By admin on February 17, 2023
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Ohio train derailment fact check: What's true and what's false? - USA TODAY
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