"My concern is over the unknowns. We don't know what exposure to lower levels of vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate below these critical thresholds will do for human health," she says. "I'm really hoping that's just a short term effect." The other issue to think about though, is that vinyl chloride oxidizes in the smoke plume and eventually ends up producing hydrochloric acid".
The derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals has residents of East Palestine, Ohio fearing for their health and safety. Two weeks after the incident, many feel like they have more questions than answers.
This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn and Avishay Artsy, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Paul Robert Mounsey, and hosted by Noel King.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
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