East Palestine Train Disaster: Residents Reflect 3 Years Later

Three years after a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, releasing hazardous chemicals into the air, soil, and water, residents report continued health problems and a sense of abandonment by government officials and the railroad company. The derailment, which occurred on February 3, 2023, prompted evacuations and raised concerns about long-term environmental and health consequences, but residents say meaningful assistance has been slow to materialize. “It’s now been three years. We are still here. We still need help. Our health is failing,” said Jami Wallace, a resident of East Palestine. “I have been diagnosed with multiple different long-term illnesses that all can be related to the chemicals.” The train derailment involved 38 cars, including 11 carrying hazardous materials, despite not being officially classified as a hazardous material train, according to reporting from the Ohio River Valley Institute. Five of those cars contained vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen. Following the crash, Norfolk Southern conducted a controlled burn of the vinyl chloride to prevent a potential explosion, releasing fumes into the air that officials warned could be deadly. Residents like Ashley McCollum, now living in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, describe a persistent struggle. “Since three years ago, a lot of things have been consistently the same. We’re still all struggling. We still all have needs that are unmet. We have so many people that are experiencing these issues and need help in their communities.” The health impacts are particularly acute for children. Ten-year-ancient Evelyn Albright recounted experiencing rashes and a four-month displacement from her home. “My dad got severe heart failure and he had to be in the hospital for Christmas. And I know a lot of people in my town have gotten a lot of other very bad things happening to them during the train derailment.” Frustration with the response from both state and federal governments is widespread. Chris Albright, a resident living half a mile from the derailment site, expressed anger at the lack of sustained support. “I’m pissed at the response from the country. I’m pissed at how many people have forgotten about what happened here… Nobody is stepping up to help us. Nobody gives a shit about what happened to us in East Palestine.” Sharon, a resident on the Pennsylvania side of the affected area, noted the complexities of receiving aid. “People might be under the impression that we’ve already gotten help… most people haven’t yet. Politicians… they’ve all let us down. They’re not offering it easily. But then when they finally do say they’re going to help, it’s another health study, which we already have six health studies going on. We don’t want to be studied like guinea pigs. We want to be helped.” Concerns extend to the ongoing environmental contamination. Christina Siceloff, from Darlington, Pennsylvania, described the anxieties surrounding daily life. “We can’t go fishing in the creek because what’s in the creek that can harm us. We can’t go forage for mushrooms… because we don’t know if they’re safe to eat. We don’t know if the air is safe for us to breathe.” Her seven-year-old son, Edward Siceloff, added, “My mom used to take me to the creek… and now they’re polluted.” He also stated he now knows the names of some of the chemicals released, including “vinyl chloride and I forget chlorine too.” The lack of accountability from Norfolk Southern and elected officials is a recurring theme. Christa Graves, a lifelong resident of the area, lamented the feeling of being forgotten. “We spot so many community members who are sick and more who want to pretend that it’s all over… the world’s moved on and we’re stuck in a vacuum of time.” She added that promises made by politicians, including President Joe Biden, former President Donald Trump, and Senator JD Vance, have gone unfulfilled. “RFK Jr… he made promises to them, and he made promises to all of us, and they’ve not followed through on those promises.” Residents are directing those seeking to help towards organizations like the Ohio Valley Derailment Mutual Aid (OVDMA), which provides financial assistance for rent and medical bills, and the Chemically Impacted Communities Coalition (CICC), which advocates for communities affected by chemical disasters. The University of California, San Diego’s Golomb Research Group is also conducting a health effects study. As of February 3, 2026, three years after the derailment, residents continue to grapple with the aftermath, awaiting concrete action and sustained support from authorities. Chris Albright issued a plea for continued attention: “Anybody who is watching this, step up, talk about it, keep it relevant… Help us. Please help us. I’m so sick of the fight we’ve been battling.”