Vinyl chloride accident unleashes a toxic legacy
Abstract
A railroad accident on February 3, 2023, led to the release and combustion of 115,580 gallons, equivalent to over 437,000 L, of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) in East Palestine, Ohio. This monomer is used in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production, and its burning produces additional toxins such as hydrochloric acid and lethal phosgene, known as a notorious chemical weapon during World War I. Acute exposure to these chemicals causes immediate adverse effects on local ecosystems, including the deaths of wild and farmed animals and pets.
Peng Gao
Assistant Professor
I am an analytical chemist trained in both environmental and biomedical sciences. My research focuses on multidisciplinary fields in environmental health sciences, environmental chemistry and toxicology, analytical chemistry, and metagenomics.