Politics
Vance and Zeldin request EPA inspector general investigation into 2023 East Palestine derailment response
The vice president and EPA administrator cited newly revealed atmospheric projections suggesting thousands may have faced toxic chemical exposure.
The short version
- Vice President JD Vance and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin requested an independent review of the previous administration's handling of the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment.
- The request followed the release of watchdog documents showing atmospheric models projected around 18,000 people may have experienced dangerous chemical exposure levels.
- The EPA acting inspector general has not yet announced whether the office will launch the requested comprehensive investigation.
Key facts
- Vice President JD Vance and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin sent a letter asking EPA Acting Inspector General Nicole Murley to open an independent inquiry into the federal response to the 2023 East Palestine train derailment.[The Hill]
- Records obtained by the Government Accountability Project showed the Interagency Modeling Atmospheric Assessment Center estimated about 18,000 individuals might have faced toxic chemical exposure capable of causing severe injury.[The Hill]
- The modeling specifically projected 17,972 potential exposures to phosgene and 312 potential exposures to hydrogen chloride following the accident.[The Hill]
- Researchers found that a chemical plume resulting from the controlled burn of train cargo reached 16 states in the weeks following the derailment.[The Hill]