A message from the Environmental and Education Committee

Five of the train cars that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, on February 3rdwere carrying vinyl chloride. 

This toxic, colorless, flammable gas is created from fracked gas and used to make PVC plastic. It’s poisonous at every point along the way — from creation to use to disposal. Vinyl chloride is known to cause cancer, and it’s a serious threat to public health and water. There is no safe level of exposure to vinyl chloride.

When Norfolk Southern, the rail company responsible for the train derailment in East Palestine, made the decision to burn the vinyl chloride in its rail cars, it set off an environmental and public health disaster, killing fish and other animals and impacting the health of the surrounding community, the first responders, and the workers tasked with cleaning up the hazardous materials.

Food & Water Action is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ban this toxic chemical to keep our communities safe. Join us in sending a message to the EPA!

Vinyl chloride is usually manufactured in low-income communities and communities of color, where it threatens people’s health — a clear violation of environmental justice.

The EPA states that exposure to vinyl chloride can cause cancer and disrupt the hormonal, reproductive, developmental, and immune systems. Rates of cancer surrounding the manufacturing of this chemical are significantly higher than average. On top of that, communities are faced with increased risks of air and water pollution.

The EPA has the power to ban vinyl chloride using an existing regulatory framework under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), a process that can be started immediately.

Tell the EPA to protect our communities from the detrimental health impacts of polluting plastics by banning vinyl chloride.

There are no excuses for delay.

Onward together,

Wenonah Hauter
Founder and Executive Director
Food & Water Action