(NewsNation) — Results from independent testing in the Ohio area where a train derailed and released toxic chemicals last year warrant further investigation, one expert says.
Scott Smith, an independent testing expert and the CEO of U.S. BioSolutions, joined “NewsNation Now” Tuesday. His remarks coincide with the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) hearing on the cause of the 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment.
“Just because nobody has died does not mean this is not a serious disaster,” Smith said. “But the good news is we have the data to go in and get solutions and help these people. And it needs to happen now.”
On Tuesday, the NTSB hosted its final meeting at East Palestine High School to discuss why the train derailed and address the release of toxic chemicals into the atmosphere. In the aftermath of the derailment, officials burned 116,000 gallons of toxic vinyl chloride, creating a cloud over the area. Despite residents’ concerns about health issues including rashes and migraines, the Environmental Protection Agency has said there is no risk of exposure to residents from vinyl chloride.
Smith, however, said he’s finding a “host of chemicals now in garden crops” in “hot zones.”
“That has now set the stage for further investigation and follow-up. And there ought to be similar hearings with the EPA just like this,” he said.
On Tuesday, NTSB board members confirmed that a trackside detector in Salem, Ohio, failed to accurately detect an overheated rail car bearing that was on fire about 20 miles before the derailment happened.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy opened the meeting with an apology to the East Palestine community on behalf of NTSB.
“Unfortunately, some have sought to minimize the wide-ranging impacts of this derailment, pointing to the fact that there were no fatalities or injuries,” she said. “For this, we are certainly grateful. But the absence of a fatality or injury does not mean the presence of safety.”
Although he claims to have been “smeared” by the EPA and Norfolk Southern, Smith said the results from his independent testing tell a clear story.
“The majority of my results — a little over 55% agree: Nothing to see here,” Smith said. “But the minority of the results, like 45%, are the potential hot zones that need follow-up testing.”