Listening to the East Palestine press conference now. Notable moments, paraphrased:
"The fish dying aren't endangered species. Yet."
"The Ohio river is large enough to dilute the pollutants."
"President Biden contacted personally to say whatever federal help we need, we've got. Call his personal line." <- They're still relying on Norfolk Southern, whose negligence caused the spill, instead of making that call.
Only discussing waterways so far. Nothing on the spread of toxins via the air.
"Volatile organic chemicals are actually part of our everyday life." Compares it to smoking, using a gas stove, or burning wood. Jesus Christ.
Just a little aside from yours truly: at least one of the four toxic chemicals being leeched into the water and air reportedly has a toxicity level at 1 part per million.
After saying that the waterways weren't terribly polluted, they recommend anyone with a private groundwater supply not drink it, get it tested, and for pregnant women to stay far away from it. Bottled water is being supplied, for the time being.
Reporter asked about using water filters.
"At this stage in the game, we are recommended people in the community consider using bottled water." Municipal water source testing hasn't concluded yet, they have no current idea how bad they really are.
"Using bottled water seems like an easy thing to do."
Says they can just dig deeper wells for those on wellwater supply.
Notable: did NOT recommend using a water filter, only recommended bottled water.
Still says the impact on the rest of Ohio's water sources are negligible, after confirming that the affected waterways feed into the Ohio river earlier in the conference.
On being satisfied with President Biden's response:
"The federal government is conducting an investigation on to why this wreck occurred." Restates that Biden said to call him for anything he needs. Has not called Biden back - doesn't see a need at this point.
Reports of livestock and other animal death are only being referred to as "anecdotal" and not treated seriously as anything more than that. Says they haven't found any factual evidence of livestock death.
Strong current of "We completely trust Norfolk Southern to get this completely cleaned up and to be 100% true to their word." They apparently trust them more than our federal government.
Governer asked if, he lived in the area, if he'd come back. Paraphrased:
"I'd be drinking bottled water and waiting on air test results. I'd be alert and concerned."
Expert: "I think people should be confident that multiple agencies at the state and federal level are very serious about this and not allowing any wiggle room in regards to safety."
Again, Norfolk Southern is the only source of cleanup currently on the ground. The governor has not called Biden's personal line for federal help.
On the giant column of toxic smoke going into the atmosphere:
"I don't think there's anyone here who's volunteering to answer that (...) I don't know an answer to that."
That was it. That was the reply.
Says they're monitoring the air and the air quality has remained "good." Still getting readings in yellow and red zones that the air quality is "good."
Restates that they don't currently know anything about the effects of the plume of smoke. Now I know why they weren't focusing on that.
Expert says they are relying on "dilution" and "winds" and that there should be no concern about the pollution spreading. Says they are confident that groundwater toxicity will not spread.
Q: How long should people need to use bottled water?
A: No answer, just reminds people to sign up for the bottled water program.
Wish I was making that up, but no. Jeez.
"We will continue to keep you apprised. We don't plan on doing a press conference every day, but we plan on releasing any new information we have daily. You can expect that from the governor's office - a day's summary. Thank you very much."
End press conference.
@tyote this is insane.
@Klaatu_Veratta_Nectarine I felt like I was listening to an excerpt from some Orwellian novel the whole time. "Everything's fine, but it's not. But it is. But we also don't really know enough to say that."
@tyote Have you seen Netflix show White Noise?
@Klaatu_Veratta_Nectarine I have not. You recommend it?
@tyote I haven't seen it but apparently its about a train derailing in Ohio and a chemical disaster and it came out just a while ago. Just wow
@Klaatu_Veratta_Nectarine Talk about timing! Wow is right.
Still no word on what is happening to the air. Conference has only been on pollution in waterways.
"We have not yet tested for PFAS compounds."
PFAS stands for per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which contain a strong carbon-fluorine bond that allows them to accumulate over time in the environment and in the bodies of animals and people, posing health risks. PFAS chemicals might also be thought of as “everywhere chemicals,” since they’ve become so common in the products we use every day.