Some Ohio fire departments are throwing out turnout gear and hoses that were exposed to toxic chemicals spilled and burned off from a train derailment.
About 50 cars, including 10 carrying hazardous materials, derailed in a fiery crash Feb. 3 in East Palestine, Ohio. Vinyl chloride was later released into the air from five of those cars before crews ignited it to get rid of the highly flammable, toxic chemicals in a controlled environment, creating a dark plume of smoke.
But when the Wellsville Fire Department asked manufacturers what to do to decontaminate turnout gear used at the scene, they were told by two companies to throw it out. A third offered to clean it, but would not guarantee its safety, The Review reports.
A hose manufacturer advised the fire company to wash hose that was exposed to the chemicals and store it while it does more research on the issue.
The department estimates it will cost more than $35,000 to replace damaged equipment, which includes seven sets of turnout gear.
East Palestine firefighters also will be discarding ppe and replacing it. The department’s trucks are undergoing decontamination, as well.
