Nightly Scroll with Hayley: Resident Speaks Out Years After East Palestine Train Derailment (Ep.69) Summary
Introduction: Spotlight on Overlooked Stories In Episode 69 of Nightly Scroll with Hayley, host Hayley Caronia delves into the prolonged aftermath of the East Palestine train derailment that occurred on February 3, 2023. Emphasizing the often fleeting nature of news cycles, Hayley underscores the importance of giving sustained attention to the human and environmental tolls of such disasters.
"The news cycle moves so quickly, we lose sight of the humanity behind the stories that are shared." [00:00]
Background: The East Palestine Train Derailment The episode revisits the tragic derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train in East Palestine, Ohio, which spilled toxic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethyl hexyl acrylate, and ethylene glycol, into the environment. In an attempt to prevent an explosion, Norfolk Southern conducted a controlled burn of the affected tank cars. This action, while intended as a safety measure, resulted in the release of noxious fumes that impacted air and water quality in the surrounding regions.
Personal Testimony: Christina Sisloff's Experience Central to the episode is the heartfelt account of Christina Sisloff, a resident living just 5.9 miles from the derailment site on the Pennsylvania side. Christina shares her initial discovery of the derailment through social media and her growing concerns about the potential dangers posed by the spilled chemicals.
"I saw that a train had derailed in East Palestine and that it could involve one of the gas stations... we were concerned about that." [04:31]
Health Impacts: Lingering Symptoms and Medical Negligence Christina details the onset of various health issues following the incident, including respiratory problems, migraines, and other unexplained medical conditions. Despite experiencing severe symptoms, she highlights a troubling lack of effective medical response and testing.
"Every day, I started getting sick for about two weeks... but I didn't attribute it to the burn until I was sick for about two weeks." [09:03]
She further recounts her interactions with medical professionals who were initially baffled by her symptoms and reluctant to conduct specific tests for the chemicals involved.
"We were told not to test for certain chemicals related to the derailment." [19:38]
Environmental Devastation: Contaminated Waterways and Wildlife The episode sheds light on the severe environmental repercussions, including the contamination of creeks and rivers, leading to a massive fish kill of 43,000 aquatic animals. Independent testing revealed high levels of oil-related compounds, contradicting official assurances that the environment was safe.
"We found a lot of oil-related compounds... there was a huge fish kill." [22:39]
Government and Corporate Response: Accountability Failures Hayley critiques the inadequate response from both the government and Norfolk Southern. Christina expresses profound distrust towards governmental agencies, revealing that FEMA and the EPA failed to communicate effectively with residents and even instructed officials to avoid direct interactions with the affected community.
"We were told to only talk to the local government and the stakeholders." [37:05]
Additionally, Christina highlights the dubious effectiveness of Norfolk Southern’s assistance programs, noting that many residents struggle to receive fair compensation or support for relocation.
"Norfolk Southern needs to pay for it. Not the federal government and our tax dollars." [43:59]
Community Struggle: Ongoing Health Battles and Relocation Challenges Despite the significant health challenges, Christina observes that many residents remain trapped in the affected areas due to financial constraints and inadequate support systems. She recounts personal and community efforts to seek medical help, including unorthodox methods like heavy metal detoxes, which often result in further health complications.
"We're trying anything to make ourselves feel better and make ourselves better because we don't want to suffer anymore." [35:31]
Call to Action: Seeking Justice and Comprehensive Support Christina urges local representatives and higher authorities to conduct thorough investigations and provide tangible support to the affected communities. She advocates for long-term health plans funded by Norfolk Southern and calls for genuine governmental intervention rather than superficial measures.
"They need to help us and also go up to Trump and get in his ear about how much help Trump came here in the very beginning and brought us water." [47:15]
Conclusion: Persisting Struggles and the Need for Continued Advocacy Hayley closes the episode by reaffirming the importance of spotlighting ongoing disasters that receive short-lived media attention. She encourages listeners to support affected communities by raising awareness, contacting local leaders, and sharing their own experiences.
"These are deeply important stories. We have to bring them to top of mind for people because they've forgotten." [50:29]
Notable Quotes:
- Hayley Caronia: "The news cycle moves so quickly, we lose sight of the humanity behind the stories that are shared." [00:00]
- Christina Sisloff: "We were told to only talk to the local government and the stakeholders." [37:05]
- Christina Sisloff: "Norfolk Southern needs to pay for it. Not the federal government and our tax dollars." [43:59]
- Christina Sisloff: "They need to help us and also go up to Trump and get in his ear about how much help Trump came here in the very beginning and brought us water." [47:15]
Final Thoughts: This episode of Nightly Scroll not only highlights the enduring plight of the East Palestine community but also serves as a broader commentary on governmental neglect and corporate responsibility in the wake of environmental disasters. Christina Sisloff's poignant narrative underscores the urgent need for sustained advocacy and comprehensive support for affected residents.