One year ago, a 150-car train carrying hazardous materials derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Large quantities of toxic chemicals were released into the community, including carcinogenic vinyl chloride.
This disaster is still unfolding for the people of East Palestine. Supermom Misti Allison told NPR this morning about the extreme anxiety her family has endured for the last 12 months.
One afternoon, her 8-year-old son was walking home from school and jumped in a puddle. He stopped, terrified: “Mom, does this puddle have vinyl chloride in it? Am I going to be OK?”
The chemical disaster in East Palestine is not an isolated incident—and the health impacts of toxic chemicals are not something we can forget. In 2023, there were at least 322 hazardous chemical incidents in the U.S. alone. Eighty-three of those incidents occurred at plastic and petrochemical manufacturing sites. Black, Latino, and low-income people face a disproportionate risk since chemical facilities are predominantly located in these communities.
Documentary photographer Rebecca Kiger has been covering East Palestine for TIME for much of the last year. Her work has uncovered “the deeper truths that the crisis in this town has laid bare: the ease with which national attention wanders; our susceptibility to easy explanations of difficult issues; and the unsettling gaps in our understanding of the human-health impacts of so many of the chemicals that underpin our modern way of life.”
Vinyl chloride is one of the most ubiquitous and dangerous such chemicals—and it is one that we do not need. Fortunately, EPA has the authority to ban vinyl chloride under the Toxic Substances Control Act. They are currently accepting comments on whether to proceed with an in-depth evaluation that could ultimately result in a ban.
Take 20 seconds today to send a message to EPA.