Whitewater Twp. Residents affected by a styrene leak will receive answers to some questions

WHITEWATER TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Neighbors in Whitewater Township and surrounding areas were able to get answers to some questions Tuesday evening, a week after they had to evacuate for more than 24 hours due to a styrene leak.

The meeting was structured as a question-and-answer session, with more than a dozen officials from various organizations answering questions residents and business owners had following the Styrolles leak, evacuation and shelter-in-place orders.

The Whitewater Township Community Center was packed with concerned citizens and business owners hoping for answers to their unanswered questions.

Representatives from the Central Railroad of Indiana, Whitewater Township Fire Department, Miami Township Board of Trustees, Whitewater Township Board of Trustees, Village of Cleves, Hamilton County Public Health and Hamilton County Emergency Management Agency were all in attendance.

The meeting began with Hamilton County Health Commissioner Greg Kesterman sharing data on air quality in the evacuation or containment zones following the leak.

“You can see that even though the standard is 100 parts per million, in the five samplings on September 24th and 25th, the highest level of styrene gas we saw was 280 parts per billion,” Kesterman said, while In his presence he showed a map of the areas evacuated and sheltered on site.

Kesterman added that dangerous levels of styrene were never detected. The first air quality tests took place around 4 p.m. on the day of the leak.

Throughout the meeting, Kesterman insisted that it was safe to return to the original evacuation area, even as several residents said they experienced symptoms upon their return.

Some of the symptoms residents shared included metallic taste, vomiting and pain. Kesterman said everyone should seek medical attention if they experience symptoms, adding that there isn't much research on people's exposure to styrene.

However, he reiterated several times that it was safe because styrene evaporated quickly and was not found in any water tests.

“But when it (styrene) gets into the environment, it dissolves quickly and disappears quickly,” Kesterman said. “It’s not water soluble, it doesn’t like to combine with water and get into the soil.”

He also said that he and his team visited all restaurants and the local Kroger to make sure their buildings were safe and that they followed health department recommendations. Kroger threw away all unpackaged food, cleaned the sprayers and followed all other recommendations.

One of the most common questions from community members was why a tanker truck filled with dangerous chemicals was parked near a community for a week.

Many called for new regulations or procedures to inform residents and the community when chemicals are parked near their homes, schools and waterways.

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Central Railroad of Indiana said INEOS, the company that owned the actual tanker, did not have the capacity for the cars and asked the railroad to keep them. But they told residents that would no longer happen, prompting applause from the crowd.

“We have immediately informed INEOS that they will no longer be parking cars on our railway line. When they arrive, they will come to your facility immediately,” said Brian Stussie, vice president of operations for Central Railroad of Indiana.

Many other questions on Tuesday evening revolved around specific questions about how the tank trucks worked and the pressure valve on the tank from which styrene was leaking. Officials said these questions were best directed to INEOS, which did not attend the meeting.

“INEOS was invited to this meeting. I have emailed INEOS several times and they have responded. I texted INEOS and they responded but didn’t show up,” Whitewater Township Trustee Doug King said.

The officials said that all questions to INEOS will be sent to them and that if they receive a response, it will be published on the local EMA website.

A resident asked when criminal charges or a lawsuit would be filed against INEOS and hold them responsible for the leak. None of the officials at the meeting had an answer, which angered many.

Anyone affected by the styrene leak who has a claim is asked to call the Central Railroad of Indiana at 1-800-757-7387.

Businesses that were affected by the leak and have claims for lost wages or other claims are asked to call 203-202-8920.