Ohio's Chemical Spill Lacks Protective Vaccines

A recent commercial train derailment in Ohio has caused many residents have asked about their health risks, including the availability of protective vaccines.

To enhance transparency, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published the latest water sample results of the Ohio River by the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission on February 18, 2023.

This data indicates no butyl acrylate or vinyl chloride has been detected in the Ohio River.

And surface water quality sampling taken on February 10, 2023, showed very low levels of the two contaminants.

In response to chemical risk questions, the U.S. EPA published a list of the train's cargo, including chemicals that have caused concern, such as vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, benzene, ethyl hexyl acrylate, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether.

"There's no question that there are chemicals in the mix that have been associated with serious health effects, including cancer," Keeve Nachman, a professor of environmental health and engineering at Johns Hopkins University, told the BBC on February 17, 2023.

Previously, the Ohio EPA informed the Washington Post that vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate were the primary chemicals released in the train incident.

As of February 19, 2023, Precision Vaccinations discovered the latest vaccine information regarding these chemicals.

Today more than 90% of people are exposed to dioxins primarily by eating food, particularly animal products, contaminated by these chemicals, says the U.S. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.

Vinyl chloride is a colorless, odorless gas used to make PVC, a form of plastic used in many everyday objects. Unfortunately, it is also a carcinogen that can cause negative impacts depending on the time and amount of exposure.

Vinyl Chloride exposure can cause headaches and nausea or lead to severe health conditions, such as cancer.

And when vinyl chloride burns, it can release hydrogen chloride and phosgene gases.

There are no U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved vaccines to protect people from these gases.

According to the EPA's disclosure, an unknown amount of Butyl acrylate was lost in the Ohio train crash.

And butyl acrylate is used to make polymers, resins, and paints. Exposure can lead to irritation of the nose and eyes, nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions. And continued exposure can cause lung cancer.

There is no FDA-approved vaccine for this chemical.

Therefore, our research on February 19, 2023, indicates no vaccines are available to protect people from these chemical exposures. However, there are various treatments available.

Previously, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced on February 17, 2023, "We know that the science says that East Palestine is safe, but we also know that residents are very worried," reported the Pittsburgh Post-Agzette.

Governor DeWine added. "They are asking themselves, 'Is my headache just a headache?"

"Or is it a result of the chemical spill? Does the spill cause other medical symptoms?"

"Those are very legitimate questions, and residents deserve answers."

Gov. DeWine also stated that a health clinic would be established in East Palestine to address these concerns and will receive support from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Previously, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice stated that chemicals had spilled into the Ohio River in the Northern Panhandle of West Virginia after a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

Note: This news article was originally published by Vax-Before-Travel on February 19, 2023.

Updated on Feb. 21, 2023 - West Virginia information.