I am guessing Acrolein is in the soil where the chemicals were dumped and as it evaporates contaminated the air. You can find such levels in major cities. They should drop in time. The HQ applies to long term exposures (years).
The workers were on the contaminated soil digging it up. Their exposures far higher than returning residents. Where were these workers union bosses
There is unlikely any Dioxin in the air. Its heavier than air and whatever was in the air when the fires went out would be in soil and water now. Unless they are eating local fish, fruit or vegetables its unlikely the residents will suffer much if any exposure. Dioxin is durable, so just have to hope there is not too much
My general approach has been to argue against the notion that absence of evidence is evidence of absence which was made apparent with the COVID vaccines.
There's no way of getting 100% evidence that East Palestine is safe, but more testing just provides more evidence and consilience of the data. Maybe dioxin levels are and have been very low the entire time, but without testing we can't make that assumption, and it's a very dangerous game to play to wait 3 weeks after locals have been exposed to let them know whether or not they have been exposed. The precautionary principle should have prevailed.
I brought up the cleanup issue because the derailment didn't happen blocks or hundreds of yards away. It was right in people's backyards so it does raise questions with that proximity if the dust up can cause issues. To add to this point, the EPA mentioned in their FAQ sheet that people should be careful of vacuuming their houses when returning in case they brush up any particulates that have settled. I'm unsure how much would get into the house, but they're essentially creating the circumstance that the dust has settled but shouldn't be disturbed, but how would people know where they should not disturb.
Acrolein is interesting. I haven't heard of it before and the Texas A&M group has mentioned that it's found across many cities hence using Pittsburgh as a reference. So the elevated levels may point to something concerning or it may just be a red herring. I'll wait and see what their independent testing comes up with. So right now it is interesting it was noted, but the extent of this having harmful effects on humans is up in the air, but again in such circumstances the precautionary principle should have been applied.
"The problem with these performative acts from those in power is all the same. These people don’t have to keep drinking the tap water. They don’t have to keep breathing the air. They don’t have to play in the soil or creeks. They can all leave whenever they please." ... This breaks my heart. 💔
With the workers I don't think its the dust thats an issue but vapors coming from the contaminated soil, which is diluted quickly away from the site
Once the fire went out risk of further exposure to residents was reduced, and residents were allowed to return to their homes. I don't disagree with that.
Perhaps they were too rosy in their assessment regarding safety, but hopefully most residents were aware there was some risk before returning. I don't believe residents should have been forbidden to return. Thats like a Lockdown in reverse
As for dioxin, whatever exposure there was during the fire is irreversible. Since the effects are long term, I don't see that early testing would have changed much except peace of mind (if negative). As for post return to home exposure I expect most residents took precautions (bottled water, cleaning home, hygiene, etc). I am of course assuming the air was not too unhealthy
If you ever lived near a neighbor whose house burned down you would experience similar issues. The smoke would have permeated your house, and the air quality for many days is not good. Lots of toxic smoke in house fires. East Palestine is going through something on a larger scale of course (more people and homes affected), but unless they live very close to the site, they should be ok. I don't expect
home prices will ever recover, at least not for a long while.
As a reader of many John Grisham novels you come to expect the corporations and government won't have your best interests
in mind. Its not right, but hopefully there will be some compensation down the road for them.
As for health concerns, most of them are probably at greater risk from those injections that many took than from dioxin.
I am guessing Acrolein is in the soil where the chemicals were dumped and as it evaporates contaminated the air. You can find such levels in major cities. They should drop in time. The HQ applies to long term exposures (years).
The workers were on the contaminated soil digging it up. Their exposures far higher than returning residents. Where were these workers union bosses
There is unlikely any Dioxin in the air. Its heavier than air and whatever was in the air when the fires went out would be in soil and water now. Unless they are eating local fish, fruit or vegetables its unlikely the residents will suffer much if any exposure. Dioxin is durable, so just have to hope there is not too much
All good points.
My general approach has been to argue against the notion that absence of evidence is evidence of absence which was made apparent with the COVID vaccines.
There's no way of getting 100% evidence that East Palestine is safe, but more testing just provides more evidence and consilience of the data. Maybe dioxin levels are and have been very low the entire time, but without testing we can't make that assumption, and it's a very dangerous game to play to wait 3 weeks after locals have been exposed to let them know whether or not they have been exposed. The precautionary principle should have prevailed.
I brought up the cleanup issue because the derailment didn't happen blocks or hundreds of yards away. It was right in people's backyards so it does raise questions with that proximity if the dust up can cause issues. To add to this point, the EPA mentioned in their FAQ sheet that people should be careful of vacuuming their houses when returning in case they brush up any particulates that have settled. I'm unsure how much would get into the house, but they're essentially creating the circumstance that the dust has settled but shouldn't be disturbed, but how would people know where they should not disturb.
Acrolein is interesting. I haven't heard of it before and the Texas A&M group has mentioned that it's found across many cities hence using Pittsburgh as a reference. So the elevated levels may point to something concerning or it may just be a red herring. I'll wait and see what their independent testing comes up with. So right now it is interesting it was noted, but the extent of this having harmful effects on humans is up in the air, but again in such circumstances the precautionary principle should have been applied.
"The problem with these performative acts from those in power is all the same. These people don’t have to keep drinking the tap water. They don’t have to keep breathing the air. They don’t have to play in the soil or creeks. They can all leave whenever they please." ... This breaks my heart. 💔
With the workers I don't think its the dust thats an issue but vapors coming from the contaminated soil, which is diluted quickly away from the site
Once the fire went out risk of further exposure to residents was reduced, and residents were allowed to return to their homes. I don't disagree with that.
Perhaps they were too rosy in their assessment regarding safety, but hopefully most residents were aware there was some risk before returning. I don't believe residents should have been forbidden to return. Thats like a Lockdown in reverse
As for dioxin, whatever exposure there was during the fire is irreversible. Since the effects are long term, I don't see that early testing would have changed much except peace of mind (if negative). As for post return to home exposure I expect most residents took precautions (bottled water, cleaning home, hygiene, etc). I am of course assuming the air was not too unhealthy
If you ever lived near a neighbor whose house burned down you would experience similar issues. The smoke would have permeated your house, and the air quality for many days is not good. Lots of toxic smoke in house fires. East Palestine is going through something on a larger scale of course (more people and homes affected), but unless they live very close to the site, they should be ok. I don't expect
home prices will ever recover, at least not for a long while.
As a reader of many John Grisham novels you come to expect the corporations and government won't have your best interests
in mind. Its not right, but hopefully there will be some compensation down the road for them.
As for health concerns, most of them are probably at greater risk from those injections that many took than from dioxin.