More petrochemical leaks likely, says UC professor

Petrochemical leaks have harmed Ohio communities in recent years — and they will likely continue to occur as the oil and gas industry grows.

Amy Townsend-Small, a professor of environmental science at the University of Cincinnati, says it's common for trains traveling through cities to carry chemicals made from oil and gas.

The train car that leaked in Whitewater Township last week contained an oil-derived chemical called styrene. Likewise, the vinyl chloride that spilled from a tanker in East Palestine was made from oil.

Production of oil and gas used to make these chemicals is increasing. According to the US Energy Information Administration, the US produced more crude oil last year than any other country ever.

“That has helped reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil and gas, helped lower gasoline prices, lowered energy prices for home heating and things like that,” Townsend-Small said. “It has also boosted the production of plastics made from petroleum and natural gas.”

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According to a report from Inside Climate News, several plastics production facilities are being built near natural gas fracking operations in eastern Ohio.

“Nobody really wants to see natural gas pipelines built, so this is how all of this excess natural gas is offset by making plastics,” Townsend-Small said.

There are also plastics manufacturers near Cincinnati, such as the INEOS plant to which the tanker carrying the styrene leak was headed.

The more oil and gas is extracted and transported to plastics manufacturers by truck, train and barge, the greater the likelihood of leaks. For this reason, Townsend-Small believes petrochemical spills like the Styroll leak are likely to happen again.

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How can these spills be prevented?

Nearly 100 community members showed up to a joint meeting of the Whitewater and Miami Township boards of trustees Tuesday evening, nearly a week after many evacuated their homes because of the styrene leak.

Several people asked the same question as a Whitewater Township resident: “What can we do to prevent the toxic tank from being parked so close to the school, the water and the community?”

Brian Stussie, a representative for the Central Railroad of Indiana, said the company must transport all goods and products for everyone, including hazardous materials. He referred to the “joint carrier obligation” of the freight railways.

Greater regulation of the rail industry could improve safety measures. Following the East Palestine train derailment, U.S. Senators introduced the bipartisan Railroad Safety Act of 2023.