Toxic garlic grown in East Palestine, Ohio, is raising new concerns about the region’s security and the risks to citizens who inhabit it even more than a year after the derailment of a toxic exercise wreaked havoc on their lives.
The nonprofit Government Accountability Project has filed a petition with the Environmental Protection Agency, requesting that more soil studies be conducted near the derailment site.
The petition cites independent tests that found elevated levels of chemicals in garlic grown in eastern Palestine. According to studies conducted through the Government Accountability Project, composite soil samples at the derailment site showed toxic dioxin equivalence ratios of 91. 9 per billion, 19 times higher than the residential detection point of 4. 8 per billion. The EPA insisted that grass should be laid there just weeks after the derailment, discovered in tests conducted by state officials at several locations in the area. The company has rejected independent testing in the past, citing quality control considerations.
Scott Smith, CEO of U. S. BioSolutions, said the EPA has not conducted tests in the “hot zones” of eastern Palestine. He said that by not testing in those areas, the EPA can claim that its tests do not reveal any scary chemicals in the air and on the ground in the vicinity of the derailment.
“The cancer-causing chemicals here, to put it in perspective, I’ve been a victim of 60 disasters, and all the chemicals I’ve found were in East Palestine,” Smith told Scripps News. “That’s what makes things different. The chemical mixtures are unprecedented. And I have a saying: “you can’t locate what you’re not there for. “The EPA is very wise here because it’s obviously a captured and corrupt agency. “
East Palestine resident Jami Wallace said a deal was reached prematurely with Norfolk Southern. In April, Norfolk Southern announced that it had reached a $600 million settlement for all elegance action lawsuits filed by citizens living within a 20-mile radius of the site of last year’s derailment.
“When they pronounced settlements even before the NTSB hearing reports were released, I don’t understand why they were even contemplating a settlement before they had all the evidence,” he told Scripps News.
Related stories: Train derailment in eastern Palestine has spread “dangerous” pollutants to 16 states, according to results. Norfolk Southern will pay a modest $15 million fine as part of a federal settlement over the Ohio derailment.
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