The aerial view of the recent train derailment in Palestine, Ohio suggests that there is a Super Fund-level mess to clean up. And it highlights a reality that now stares us squarely in the face: this was likely just one of many trains that are carrying toxic payloads on any given day in any number of locales.
The apparent jump to conclusions on the right won’t help anything, but officials obviously will be expected and hounded to come clean about the level of damage, as well as the toxicity that was released and continues to exist. Not to mention the condition of locomotives and rail cars.
While a rush to judgment is unhelpful, it’s difficult not to wonder just how bad things got, and how bad things may still be today, and tomorrow.
3 Cents' 