OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Former Democratic Ohio State Senator Nina Turner took many by surprise on Sunday when she slammed those for making negative comments about the train derailment in Ohio.
During a segment on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Turner and the panelists were discussing the community in East Palestine that was devastated earlier this month by a train derailment, which caused a massive toxic chemical spill.
Turner, a well-known liberal commentator and political figure, slammed those who have made comments suggesting the residents “deserve” what “they got” because the area voted heavily for former President Donald Trump in the 2016 and 2020 elections.
“For the neoliberals who say that the residents of that area deserve what they are getting because they voted for President Donald J. Trump, is abhorrent. The cultist behavior in politics right now, it is a sin and a shame,” Turner said.
WATCH:
“For the neoliberals who say that the residents of that area deserve what they are getting because they voted for President Donald J. Trump, is abhorrent.. The cultist behavior in politics right now, it is a sin and a shame”
Amen @ninaturner pic.twitter.com/651lBAcGvi
— ALX 🇺🇸 (@alx) February 27, 2023
An overheated wheel bearing on the 23rd rail car out of 149 was responsible for the catastrophic train derailment that occurred in a small Ohio community on February 3.
Following the incident, local authorities took swift action to ensure public safety by evacuating all residents within a one-mile radius of the accident. In addition, they initiated a controlled burn of the vinyl chloride, which the train was carrying, to prevent a potentially massive explosion from happening, reports noted.
Five train cars released large plumes of black smoke containing vinyl chloride, a known human carcinogen used to produce PVC, which could be seen throughout eastern Ohio and western Pennsylvania.
Last week, former President Donald Trump arrived to provide aid in the aftermath of a train derailment and personally helped with the delivery of numerous truckloads of bottled water to the area. According to John Rourke, CEO of Blue Line Moving, the company transported a total of 13 pallets of water pallets to East Palestine to assist the small town.
Trump spokesperson Steven Cheung told Breitbart News, “President Trump is meeting with the citizens of East Palestine, and he will never forget them and what they are going through. Contrast that with Biden and the federal government, who have failed them from the beginning.”
“Cleanup crews ended up igniting five train cars to get rid of toxic chemicals in a controlled environment, which created a menacing plume of thick smoke that resembled a mushroom cloud. Images of the controlled detonation were later circulated on social media, sparking concerns around the nation. The incident resulted in about half of the town’s population being ordered to evacuate. While residents have since been told they are allowed to return to their homes, many are still concerned and want answers — but Biden and Buttigieg are nowhere to be found,” Breitbart added.
Several local residents also showed up before Trump’s official arrival and made it clear they were fed up with Biden.
Tens of thousands of pounds of goods, food, water being delivered to the people of East Palestine, Ohio right now before Trump’s visit.
Trump paid for all of it.
Number of goods delivered from the Biden Administration: 0. pic.twitter.com/QQADqZl9Uy
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) February 22, 2023
Locals have started chanting “No More Joe” as they await Trump’s arrival to East Palestine pic.twitter.com/RkhiHcfmzb
— Savanah Hernandez (@sav_says_) February 22, 2023
According to researchers from Texas A&M University and Carnegie Mellon University, despite officials’ assurances that the air and water in the town is safe, residents affected by the train derailment and subsequent chemical fallout in the town could face a range of long-term health complications due to prolonged exposure to toxic substances.
Researchers said of the roughly 50 chemicals present on the derailed train, nine have higher concentrations than usual in East Palestine. The researchers are particularly worried about above-normal levels of acrolein, a substance with a strong odor that is considered “highly toxic” when inhaled, according to a CDC report.
Other chemicals charted at abnormally high levels included benzene, naphthalene, and vinyl chloride, the Daily Wire reported. “If these levels continue, they may be of health concern,” the analysis said.
The outlet added:
The findings come after the EPA said that “test results from the village’s municipal well sampling showed no water quality concerns,” while Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) announced that tests conducted by the Ohio EPA revealed “no detection of contaminants in raw water from the five wells that feed into East Palestine’s municipal water system.” Governor Josh Shapiro (D-PA) likewise remarked in a recent interview that tests of municipal water supplies and wells have not shown any “concerning readings” of hazardous chemicals.
In addition to vinyl chloride, Norfolk Southern, the company involved in the derailment, notified the EPA that several other volatile chemicals, including ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and ethylhexyl acrylate, were present at the site. However, the EPA only disclosed the full list of substances to residents after they were advised that it was safe to return to their homes.
