The train derailment and crash in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3rd has been in the news for a month.  People who live in and around the area have reason to still be concerned for their health, safety, and future.

            Roughly 50 cars being carried by a Norfolk Southern train derailed around 9 p.m. that Friday and the accident sparked flames that illuminated the pitch black sky and created smoke so thick that meteorologists said it could be seen on the weather radar.

            Twenty of the 50 cars that derailed were reported to contain vinyl chloride, a hazardous chemical linked to increased risk of liver cancer.  At the time of the incident officials noted that the safety features of the cars were still functioning and that there was no leak.

            The mayor of East Palestine declared a state of emergency and evacuation orders for about 2,000 of the town's 5,000 residents.

            On Feb. 6, officials authorized a controlled release and burn-off of the hazardous chemicals from the derailed train cars to avoid what they said could be a potential catastrophic explosion.

            It was an emergency decision that unleashed a huge black cloud over East Palestine and parts of Pennsylvania.

            In the weeks that followed, some elected officials and residents were questioning whether the controlled release was done for safety reasons or to allow Norfolk Southern to quickly clear the tracks and resume rail operations.

            That's an argument for learned officials and professionals to investigate and determine.

            For weeks now, the residents of East Palestine's have remained fearful of the toxic releases.  Other recent train derailments elsewhere raise questions about how our government oversees trains carrying hazardous materials.

            The incident's long-term consequences remain unknown.  That will continue to spread distrust and confusion about the real impact.

            While the people of East Palestine were seeking answers about their health and future, politicians were busy pointing the fingers of responsibility at everyone else while the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was still investigating the cause of the derailment.

            It was caused by legislation not passed by the previous administration they howled as fingers were either pointing or tapping feverishly on keyboards and cell phones announcing the guilty parties.  After all, whoever's message gets to social media first is the true one – right?

            Oops. 

            While not yet declaring a conclusive cause of the derailment, the NTSB, late last week, issued a preliminary report that the operators of the train carrying hazardous chemicals near East Palestine, Ohio, earlier this month tried to stop the train after a wheel bearing overheated to a dangerous degree.

            But by the time an alarm rang to alert the crew of the danger, the bearing was already so compromised that it failed as the train was still coming to a stop. 

            A quick, temporary fix would be to lower the temperature so that the alarm goes off sooner and the train has a better chance to stop safely.  Perhaps you can add to that limiting the number of cars that carry hazardous chemicals on each train.

            Temporary suggestions for sure, but at the rate our Federal government moves it might help. 

            Meanwhile, the people of East Palestine still worry about their future.