Chemical leak from Ohio railcar prompts evacuations

Chemical fumes leaked from a railcar in Ohio on Tuesday, prompting authorities to issue an evacuation order that remains in effect.

According to authorities, a train in Whitewater Township in Hamilton County, Ohio, leaked styrene, a toxic and flammable chemical, from the pressure relief valve around 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

“First responders and environmental officers were mobilized to the scene and the local fire department began cooling the tank car with water, which continued throughout the night. Out of an abundance of caution, local officials also evacuated homes and businesses near the station and we implemented air quality monitoring,” Tom Ciuba, spokesman for the Central Railroad of Indiana, which manages the tracks, told The Hill.

“We have worked closely with customer INEOS and environmental authorities to understand the chemistry of styrene and make informed decisions to keep the community safe.”

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Railroad Administration have officials on site conducting air quality tests. Residents within 800 meters of the area were asked to leave, while several schools and roads nearby were closed indefinitely.

President Biden was informed of the incident.

The train is still on the tracks, although a spokesman for the Central Railroad of Indiana, which oversees the tracks, said the railcar is no longer being vented. So far, emergency teams have doused the vehicle with water but are not allowed to move any parts until it is safe.

Chemical styrene leakage can cause headaches, nausea and difficulty breathing in the short term and can even lead to organ damage in the long term.

The Hill has reached out to the Central Railroad of Indiana for further comment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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