CONTACT: Sara Klein
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EAST PALESTINE, OHIO – February 16, 2024 – President Joe Biden visited today East Palestine, Ohio, the site of the tragic train derailment last year that led to the release and burn off of multiple toxic chemicals, including more than 115,000 gallons of carcinogenic vinyl chloride. Since the derailment, Moms Clean Air Force has continued to advocate on behalf of the children and families in East Palestine and across the country that are living with the impacts of petrochemical pollution–an ever-present threat to peoples’ health and safety.
Since last year’s train derailment and chemical disaster in East Palestine, Moms has been working overtime to demand that leaders at all levels of government prevent future disasters like this one by establishing strong petrochemical protections. So far, Moms have submitted nearly 21,500 comments to the EPA in support of banning vinyl chloride–the deadly petrochemical that was released and burned in the East Palestine community in the wake of the derailment.
In response to President Biden’s visit to East Palestine, Moms Clean Air Force Director and Co-Founder Dominique Browning released the following statement–
“We are glad to see that President Biden has traveled to East Palestine, Ohio to shine a spotlight on what amounts to a double tragedy. The first is the immediate, short-term impact the toxic spill has on the children, families, and towns in the immediate vicinity. The second is both the physical and mental toll that these toxic chemicals take on the long-term well-being of those exposed, as the effects of such carcinogens often take years to materialize. We will need the President’s support as we push for stronger standards that will protect our children and communities from toxic chemicals. As the Moms-led organization at the forefront of championing for tighter standards, Moms Clean Air Force is willing and able to work with the President and his Administration to educate and advocate for action on behalf of our children, families, and communities across the country. Let the tragedy in East Palestine be a lesson to our nation now and in the future.”