The True Cost of Plastics: New Video Documents East Palestine Residents’ Experiences After Toxic Train Derailment

Beyond Plastics Calls on EPA to Ban Vinyl Chloride

For Immediate Release: March 16, 2023

Contact: Melissa Valliant, Beyond Plastics — MelissaValliant@Bennington.edu, (410) 829-0726

Beyond Plastics released an on-the-ground video revealing the stories of East Palestine, Ohio, residents in the aftermath of the disastrous February 3, 2023 toxic train derailment. To produce the new video, called “The True Cost of Plastics,” independent filmmaker Arman Dzidzovic traveled to East Palestine and spoke with residents whose family members and pets experienced health issues following the release of toxic chemicals into their community. 

The personal stories provide a unique first-hand look at what it’s been like for these residents to have their lives suddenly uprooted in such an expected way. The video is supplemented with commentary from Dr. Terrence Collins, a Carnegie Mellon University professor who explains the serious risks created by burning vinyl chloride in a residential area.

Beyond Plastics president, Judith Enck, who served as a U.S. EPA regional administrator under President Obama, is featured in the video, commenting on the inadequacy of the governmental response to this disaster. Enck also calls on the U.S. EPA to ban vinyl chloride, the chemical used to create polyvinyl chloride plastic (also known as PVC plastic).

“It’s astonishing that the very day that local residents were told that the evacuation order was lifted, the trains were already running,” Enck said. “When vinyl chloride is burned, a whole new suite of chemicals may be produced, including dioxins. I think the fact that there was no testing for dioxins in the first few days after the accident is a very serious problem. Dioxins are among the most toxic chemicals known to science. Very small amounts of dioxins can do significant damage, not only to our health but also to the broader environment. In the case of East Palestine, you had open, uncontrolled burning of vinyl chloride. New chemicals were created — quite possibly dioxins — and this is a very high price to pay just to make this one type of plastic.”

Beyond Plastics is calling on the U.S. EPA to ban vinyl chloride before more harm is done. People can view and sign the petition at: https://www.beyondplastics.org/actions/ban-vinyl-chloride 

The recent train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, is a vivid example of the threat vinyl chloride poses to Americans, but this toxic chemical has been impacting human health for decades. Many of the vinyl chloride and PVC plastic production facilities in the United States are located in environmental justice communities in Louisiana, Texas, and Kentucky.

When the vinyl chloride is burned, dioxins and other toxicants may be created. These dioxins can settle on soil, migrate into water bodies and settle on surfaces inside homes, putting people, wildlife and natural resources at risk. As a result, PVC plastic is considered a significant threat to the health of firefighters. Since 2002, almost two out of three firefighters who have died in the line of duty have died of cancer, according to the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Vinyl chloride was declared a human carcinogen in 1974 and the federal government banned the use of vinyl chloride in a range of products that same year. Polyvinyl chloride plastic is banned in food packaging in South Korea, New Zealand, and Taiwan.

Although banning vinyl chloride has been discussed for more than 40 years, it is still widely used in pipes that deliver drinking water, building materials, packaging, children’s toys, and many consumer products. Other hazardous chemicals used in plastic goods have been restricted.  For example, phthalates — chemical additives that make PVC plastic more durable — have been restricted from children’s toys in the United States, the European Union, and many nations around the world.

To sign the petition urging the EPA to ban this toxic chemical and protect Americans, click here.

About Beyond Plastics

Launched in 2019, Beyond Plastics is a nationwide project that pairs the wisdom and experience of environmental policy experts with the energy and creativity of grassroots advocates to build a vibrant and effective movement to end plastic pollution. Using deep policy and advocacy expertise, Beyond Plastics is building a well-informed, effective movement seeking to achieve the institutional, economic, and societal changes needed to save our planet and ourselves, from the negative health, climate, and environmental impacts for the production, usage, and disposal of plastics.

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