train derailment Train Trains pollution pollutants plastic pollution

Freight train derailed in Ohio

*Aerial view of derailed cars (from DW.com)*

A 212-car Norfolk Southern freight train derailed near Springfield, Ohio, on Saturday, February 4.

The incident took place around 5 p.m. and involved 28 cars, which included four tankers carrying non-hazardous materials and a hopper carrying non-toxic plastic pellets.

The cause of the crash yet remains unknown, but the Federal Railroad Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board said will investigate.

Powerlines were affected by the derailment and left 50 residents with no power until, at least, Sunday afternoon.

Presence of chemicals in the surrounding environment was ruled out by the health commissioner of the Clark Country Combined Health District, Charles Patterson.

However, this was the company’s second freight train derailment within almost a month in the state of Ohio.

The previous one took place on the 3^rd of February near East Palestine and caused soil, air and water contamination due to vinyl chloride carried by derailed cars.