US President Joe Biden’s administration tried yesterday, Thursday, to reassure residents of an Ohio town after the derailment of a train carrying dangerous chemicals, as citizens, increasingly worried, demand answers.

“I want residents to know that they will not be dealing with this alone (…) We will be here to help them,” US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) chief Michael Reagan said from the northeastern city of East Palestine of the country.

Reagan assured that no traces of vinyl chloride, or hydrogen chloride, have been found after testing more than 480 homes and that the water was tested and retested “to ensure that residents are protected.”

“We will shed a lot of light” on what happened, Karen Jean-Pierre, Biden’s representative, assured for her part. And “Norfolk Southern will be held accountable,” he added, referring to the company that owned the derailed train.

Reagan noted, however, that he understands the “lack of trust” of many residents of East Palestine and added that the federal government is committed to being “very transparent.”

On February 3, after the derailment of the train, a huge fire broke out, while many thousands of residents of the area were asked to leave their homes. Among other things, the train was carrying vinyl chloride, a carcinogenic chemical that is highly flammable and is used in the manufacture of plastic.

Railroad officials later said they disposed of the vinyl chloride “in a controlled manner” to “prevent a potential explosion,” according to the Ohio governor’s office, but released toxic fumes into the air.

An investigation into the cause of the accident has since been launched, with the case taking on ever-greater proportions as concern grows among residents of East Palestine.

“need help”

Some residents told the media that they are experiencing various symptoms, such as headaches, and fear that in a few years they will develop cancer. In addition, about 3,500 fish died in the surrounding area, according to the local natural resources agency.

Based on the tests, the authorities announced that the air is “safe” and that no hazardous substances have been detected in the water. However, they advised people who use water from private wells to get it checked and continue drinking bottled water until the results are out.

On February 8, the authorities announced that residents who had left their homes could return “safely”. But they remain very cautious.

One resident told local television station WKYC that residents who live along the river are “skeptical, mad and worried.”

Another pointed out that she is “scared”. “I’m scared for my family, I’m scared for my city,” Kelly Feltzer told CNN.

“If the EPA tells me that my air quality is safe and that my water has been tested and is safe to drink, then I will trust that information,” said Michael Reagan.

On Wednesday night, during a meeting with the mayor and other officials at a school in East Palestine, residents expressed their doubts about the checks that have been carried out and demanded answers.

Norfolk Southern did not participate and chose not to send representatives to that meeting, saying in a statement that it feared “physical” violence against its workers.

Visibly angry, but also fed up, East Palestine Mayor Trent Conaway said he would do “whatever it takes to make things right” and vowed to hold the rail company accountable.