The US government yesterday ordered a third railroad company, whose train carrying toxic chemicals recently derailed, to proceed with the cleanup required and bear the full cost of the undertaking, threatening to pay “triple” costs if it does not comply.

On February 3, a train derailment in the community of East Palestine, Ohio, caused a giant fire and the hasty evacuation of hundreds of residents. The train was carrying, among other things, vinyl chloride, a carcinogenic, highly flammable chemical used in the manufacture of plastics.

Railway authorities carried out “controlled” releases of vinyl chloride to avoid the risk of explosion, releasing toxic clouds into the atmosphere.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said in a press release issued yesterday that it has ordered Norfolk Southern to “clean up the contaminated soil and water resources” and “reimburse the EPA for the cleanup services provided.” to residents and businesses to have a further guarantee”.

This is an order with which compliance is mandatory, the EPA stressed.

The agency said it would draw up a plan detailing “all necessary measures to clean up the environmental damage caused by the derailment.”

“If the company does not complete the actions ordered by the EPA, the agency will immediately step in, complete the project and force Norfolk Southern to pay triple the costs,” the press release states.

“Let me be clear: Norfolk Southern will pay to clean up the damage it caused and the trauma it caused to the public,” EPA chief Michael Reagan said, according to the agency’s statement.

Asked about this by AFP, the railway company acknowledged that it bears “responsibility”.

“We have paid for cleanup activities so far and will continue to do so. We are committed to cleaning up the site thoroughly and in a safe manner, and are in the process of compensating residents for the disruption to their daily lives,” Norfolk Southern said.

“We will learn from this horrific accident and work with regulators and elected officials to improve rail safety,” he added.

President Joe Biden’s administration rushed to reassure citizens after the derailment, but residents did not hide their outrage and concern about the contamination and the potential health consequences.

Some have reported to US media that they are experiencing various symptoms, including headaches, adding that they fear they will develop cancers in a few years.

About 3,500 fish were found dead in area rivers, according to the local natural resources agency.

The authorities assured that the air is “safe” and that the analyzes of the water in the municipal water supply system did not reveal the presence of any polluting agent, but residents have many doubts and some have already taken legal action against the railway company.

US President Joe Biden intervened in the matter, judging that the order issued by the EPA is nothing but “common sense”. The company “caused this havoc. She needs to clean him up,” he commented via Twitter.