EAST PALESTINE, Ohio — Hours after a controlled release of chemicals took place at the site of the train derailment in East Palestine, several nearby communities have issued advisories for residents to remain indoors amid concerns about odor and smoke haze.
The "controlled release" of chemicals inside the railroad cars came as Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the contents of five rail cars were "currently unstable and could potentially explode, causing deadly disbursement of shrapnel and toxic fumes" earlier on Monday.
Here are some of the social posts issued by communities in Mahoning County:
From Springfield Township Fire & Rescue: "We have been notified of an odor and a smoke haze within areas throughout our township, we have already contacted the appropriate personnel and the Mahoning County Hazmat Team. At this time the hazmat team is working within the township and county to monitor the air quality and will continue to do so throughout the night. We at this time are asking all residents, as a precaution, to shelter in place until we can determine what exactly is going on with the air quality within our township."
From Boardman Fire Dept. Assistant Chief Bill Glaser: "The latest update after meeting with hazmat: air monitoring is active in the township. The odor is going to be stronger in lower elevations. The wind has cleared a lot of it out already. We are recommending you stay in for the night."
City of Struthers: "We spoke with the Mahoning county hazmat team regarding the smell from East Palestine. We are being advised to shelter in place until further notice. They are monitoring the air quality because of the wind shift coming from the direction of boardman. As of right now everything is measuring zeros which is good. We will keep everyone updated once we hear more."
The Mahoning County Emergency Management Agency says it is recommending citizens who see a haze or detect a chemical odor to remain indoors. "Until more information is received, we urge everyone to use common sense and avoid outdoor activities."
Also, The Trumbull County Emergency Management Agency is advising residents to remain indoors. "The US EPA and contract companies are conducting air quality monitoring in Mahoning County, and currently they are not registering any reportable levels in the air quality. The US EPA will be moving monitoring into Trumbull County in just a little bit.
The Trumbull County EMA is recommending that residents stay indoors, and keep windows closed simply as a precaution due to unexpected wind shifts that could occur.
We want to emphasize that this is strictly a precaution, and there are no reports of toxic levels of chemicals from the current air monitoring being conducted, but an odor is present."
The East Palestine City School District announced they would be closed for the remainder of the week. Springfield Local Schools-New Middletown said their district would be closed Tuesday "out of an abundance of caution."