*[Enwl-eng] An Environmental Nightmare in East Palestine, OH

[ENWL]

This is an ecological & health disaster, and it's coming straight from plastic production.   
                                
                       
                                
                                
                                I’m writing with an urgent request from a Story of Stuff Project grassroots partner in Eastern Ohio, part of the larger Ohio River Valley region increasingly dubbed “Cancer Valley” because of the growing petrochemical development concentrated in the area. 

                                As you may have heard, just over a week ago a 50-car Norfolk Southern Railroad train loaded with poisonous vinyl chloride – a known human carcinogen and precursor to the plastic PVC – derailed in East Palestine, OH, unleashing a fire and explosions that rocked the small village. 

                                Days later, in an attempt to prevent a further catastrophic explosion and the uncontrolled release of killer gasses from the train, authorities ‘vented’ the vinyl chloride from multiple cars and allowed it to burn, sending a giant plume of toxic smoke into the air. 

                                Today, while residents have been told it is safe to return, much remains unknown, including whether the air and water are dangerous to their health. This is an ecological & health disaster, and it's coming straight from plastic production.

                                We’ve pledged $10,000 from our Grassroots Grants Fund to support local groups responding to the crisis. Will you help us double that pledge?

                                  
                                  
                                  
                                Will you help us double our pledge with a contribution today?
                                 
                                 
                                  


                                Despite reports of dying fish and animals emerging in recent days, officials say their monitoring has turned up nothing concerning. In the meantime, we’ve heard that the railroad is offering payouts to evacuees in exchange for releases of liability. 

                                One Break Free from Plastic partner organization, River Valley Organizing, had warned about the dangers posed by petrochemical ‘bomb trains’ barreling through their communities for nearly a decade.

                                Now, River Valley Organizing and other local groups are mobilizing the community to fight back, get legal representation, empower civic action, and build sustainable autonomy and justice after this disaster. And they need our help. 

                                Your contribution will immediately be put to use: Organizers have already begun to canvass evacuation shelters, reimbursement lines and other gathering spots to connect with local residents and assess their needs. They’re also planning a large community meeting to share what they know and gather additional testimonials. What is already clear is there is a dire need for legal assistance, ongoing independent air and water monitoring and efforts to hold both the Railroad and government accountable. 

                                Last year, our Grassroots Grants program provided $100,000 in support to small groups on the frontlines of the battle against plastic pollution and other environmental threats. Over the last two years, your response to emergency appeals like this enabled us to lift up groups affected by Hurricane Ida and to ensure New York City’s canners could secure a permanent and safe recycling center. Will you help us double our emergency aid to the residents of East Palestine?

                                Now, we’ve pledged $10,000 from the Grassroots Grants fund to groups like River Valley Organizing, and with your generous support we hope to send even more. 

                                Thanks for your consideration and continued support.



                                In Solidarity,

                                Michael O'Heaney

                                Executive Director
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
                             
                                
                                 
                                  
                                  
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                 
                                   
                                  
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                  
                                 
                                 
                                 
                                 
                             
                                
                                  
                                  
                                        
                                 
                                  
                             
                                
                                The Story of Stuff Project runs on donations from people like you. Please make a one-time contribution, or better yet, sustain our work by signing up to be a monthly donor. Any amount makes a difference!  
                                  
                             
                                
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                The Story of Stuff Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
                                Donations to The Story of Stuff Project are tax-deductible to the
                                extent allowed by law in the United States.  
                                  
                                visit storyofstuff.org   
                                  
                             
                                


                          
                        From: Michael O'Heaney, The Story of Stuff Project 
                        Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2023 1:30 PM
                        Subject: An Environmental Nightmare in East Palestine, OH

                       
                 
           

                                                                  
        
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