Norfolk Train Derailed In Ohio: Company Shares Show Resilience To Liability Claims Over Carcinogenic Chemicals Released Into Environment

Ten days after a Norfolk Southern NSC train carrying hazardous materials derailed in Ohio, the more than 1,500 residents forced to evacuate the area continue to wonder if it's safe to come back home.

Norfolk stock opened Monday trading with a 2% drop in price after news of the derailment continued to flood news outlets during the weekend. The stock price quickly recovered throughout the morning to reach $241, a hair’s breadth away from Friday's closing price of $242.

A notice of potential liability was issued to Norfolk Southern by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Saturday, stated Norfolk may be "required to perform cleanup actions to protect the public health, welfare, or the environment," and also "be responsible for costs incurred by EPA in cleaning up the site."

"EPA has spent, or is considering spending, public funds to investigate and control releases of hazardous substances or potential releases of hazardous substances at the site," the letter stated.

On Sunday, the EPA released a detailed list of the chemicals carried in the 20 derailed boxcars, via information provided by Norfolk. Many of these chemicals were dispersed into the atmosphere after the derailment caused a massive explosion.

Several of the derailed cars were loaded with vinyl chloride, a petroleum-derived compound used in the production of PVC, a normal form of plastic. Vinyl chloride has been proven to produce cancer after long-term or high-volume exposure, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Additional fumes were released as five railcar tankers of vinyl chloride were intentionally punctured in order to avoid a second blast. The chemical was diverted into a ditch and then burned.

Upon air monitoring operations, the EPA said it "has not detected any levels of concern in the community that can be attributed to the incident at this time," in an effort to reassure members of the East Palestine town, who continue to report unsettling odors although they've been allowed to return home since Wednesday, according to the Washington Post.

The EPA's official report recognized that odors might still be smelled around the town.

At least four lawsuits from East Palestine residents have been issued to Norfolk Southern. The company has independently established a "family assistance center" and is reimbursing residents who were forced to leave their homes.

Following over 400 requests to analyze indoor toxicity, the EPA stated that as of Saturday evening, 210 screened homes showed no detection of vinyl chloride or hydrogen chloride; 218 remain unchecked.