Toxic train derailment in Ohio ‘highly unlikely’ to impact Ontario, federal officials say

A train derailment in Ohio that caused a massive explosion and released toxic chemicals into the atmosphere is “unlikely” to have affected southern Ontario, the Canadian government said.

The disaster occurred on February 3 in the small town of East Palestine, about 100 km south of Lake Erie. The train was carrying vinyl chloride when it derailed and exploded. A few days later, crews burned controlled toxic chemicals to prevent a larger and more dangerous explosion.

The town of 5,000 people had to evacuate or risk breathing in the toxic phosgene plume, which caused vomiting and respiratory problems.

Residents have returned but some remain skeptical of assurances from officials that the air and water are safe. A nearby creek continues to reek of chemicals and only one federal official has visited the site, the Associated Press reported Monday.

The Biden administration defended its response, saying it was “mobilizing a robust multi-agency effort to support the people of East Palestine, Ohio.”

Environment and Climate Change Canada said the chemicals involved in the controlled release were in the atmosphere for less than 24 hours.

And with the wind blowing in the opposite direction from southern Ontario and the Great Lakes, “it is highly unlikely that the area will see any effect,” said spokeswoman Angela Savard.

The Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA), which oversees conservation areas in the Niagara Region including along the Lake Erie shoreline, and the advocacy group Environmental Defense both said they were looking to Canadian officials for guidance.

“We’ve been monitoring the situation and we’re not aware of any evidence that this poses a threat to the Great Lakes basin or Ontario,” Environmental Defense spokeswoman Brittany Harris said.

The group is pushing for stronger protections for Lake Erie and for governments and industry to address the problem of agricultural runoff.

NPCA spokeswoman Misti Ferrusi said the organization will “proactively address” issues that arise and, if they do, communicate with residents.