It was just announced that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will prioritize vinyl chloride, a cancer-causing chemical commonly found in plastic production. This announcement comes in the wake of a devastating toxic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio earlier this year, where New Jersey was the intended destination.
Waterspirit’s Public Policy & Justice Organizer shared the following statement: The incident in East Palestine serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the risks associated with vinyl chloride and its impact on our water resources. Vinyl chloride contamination poses significant threats to human health and the environment, endangering both the communities that rely on these resources and the water ecosystems that sustain them. Waterspirit was grateful to testify before the Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee in support of A5605.
It remains disheartening to note that corridor communities, such as those in New Jersey, have been consistently burdened by these and other injustices without any meaningful penalties imposed on polluters. Thankfully New Jersey’s Attorney General, NJ Department of Environmental Protection and are suing polluters for knowingly poisoning sacred Earth and life giving waters. Regulations are overdue which would protect the welfare of rail workers, who are on the front lines of transporting hazardous materials like vinyl chloride.
We must invest in comprehensive monitoring systems to detect and prevent vinyl chloride contamination, particularly in areas susceptible to derailments and accidents. Moreover, we must support research and development efforts aimed at finding safer alternatives to plastic production, reducing the demand for vinyl chloride altogether.
Water connects us all, and it is crucial that we take immediate action to address these issues comprehensively. I urge the EPA to not only prioritize vinyl chloride but also to develop stringent regulations that hold polluters accountable for their actions. The EPA must work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders, such as state and local governments, community organizations, and rail industry representatives, to develop and implement effective measures to prevent future incidents and safeguard our water resources.
We kindly request that the EPA give due consideration to these urgent concerns and take immediate action to rectify the current situation. Together, we can work towards ensuring a safer, healthier future for all, where access to clean and safe water is recognized as a fundamental human right.
####