Authorities in Ohio have given the green light to drinking municipal water from a locality where a train carrying chemicals derailed, after the accident raised concerns about its potability.
• Read also: Derailment of a train of chemical products: concern rumbles in the population
• Read also: A train full of chemicals is derailed
The governor of this American state, Mike DeWine, on Wednesday advised the inhabitants of the locality of East Palestine to consume bottled water while awaiting the results of tests.
These finally revealed “no detection of contaminants” and therefore “municipal water can be drunk without risk”, tweeted the official.
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.
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 Norfolk Southern Railroad to account”.
She “should pay for everything,” he said. “They are responsible for what happened.”