(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) The White House rejected a request for federal disaster assistance for the cleanup of the train derailment and subsequent toxic chemical spill in East Palestine, Ohio.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has reportedly been in contact with the Federal Emergency Management Agency since the disaster took place and has received nothing but negative answers, according to the Daily Wire.
“The DeWine Administration has been in daily contact with FEMA to discuss the need for federal support, however FEMA continues to tell Governor DeWine that Ohio is not eligible for assistance at this time,” DeWine’s office said. “Governor DeWine will continue working with FEMA to determine what assistance can be provided.”
FEMA officials said they are in contact with DeWine’s office, but did not give any indication as to why they are continually rejecting his requests for assistance.
“FEMA is in constant contact with the emergency operations center in East Palestine and with the Ohio Emergency Management Agency,” said FEMA spokesperson Jeremy Edwards. “We are closely coordinating with EPA, HHS, and the CDC, who are helping to test water and air quality, and to conduct public health assessments.”
Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for DeWine’s office, did say that the Department of Health and Human Services sent aid for residents suffering from the derailment and toxic burn.
Norfolk Southern, the company that owned the cars that derailed, provided the Environmental Protection Agency with a list of the cargo, claiming that the chemicals the train were “stabilized” after a controlled burn by cleanup crews.
Locals and government officials are reporting on the side effects of the crash. Chemicals seeping into the ground have contaminated several local water ways.
HOLY SHLIT
Look what happens when JD Vance puts a stick into the creek in East Palestine pic.twitter.com/ljN2TGmdvc
— Jack Posobiec 🇺🇸 (@JackPosobiec) February 16, 2023
Even MORE proof that the EPA is LYING to the people of East Palestine.
THIS WATER IS INSANELY CONTAMINATED. pic.twitter.com/rNlNxxBTDd
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) February 16, 2023
According to the National Cancer Institute, exposure to vinyl chloride—one of the chemicals that spilled from the train—may cause an increased risk of several types of cancers, including liver, brain and lung cancers, lymphoma and leukemia.
