The styrene leak from a railcar in the Whitewater Township and Cleves area has stopped, but Tuesday’s evacuation order remains in effect as officials evaluate the leak’s impact.
A Wednesday update from the Hamilton County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Agency (EMA) confirms the styrene gas leak, which started around 1 p.m. Tuesday, officially stopped at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Little Miami Fire Department Chief Mike Siefke told reporters during a Wednesday morning press conference that roads will remain closed “for an undetermined amount of time” within the half-mile radius of the incident.
This all started on Tuesday, when the Hamilton County EMA ordered residents in a half-mile radius around a railyard near the intersection of US-50, OH-128 and Valley Junction Road to "leave the area immediately" due to a "dangerous chemical leak." The leak was later confirmed by officials to be styrene gas, which was venting into the air from a train car.
Health and safety
This is a developing story.
Little Miami Fire Department Chief Mike Siefke told reporters during a Wednesday morning press conference that roads will remain closed “for an undetermined amount of time” within the half-mile radius of the incident.
This all started on Tuesday, when the Hamilton County EMA ordered residents in a half-mile radius around a railyard near the intersection of US-50, OH-128 and Valley Junction Road to "leave the area immediately" due to a "dangerous chemical leak." The leak was later confirmed by officials to be styrene gas, which was venting into the air from a train car.
On Tuesday, the county said it could be "some time" before residents are allowed back in the area. A shelter has been opened for the public at the Whitewater Community Center at 6125 Dry Fork Road.
Residents from the evacuation area who need to access their homes for pets, medication or other family members are being told to report to the Whitewater Community Center for assistance.
Residents from the evacuation area who need to access their homes for pets, medication or other family members are being told to report to the Whitewater Community Center for assistance.
Health and safety
Styrene gas, traditionally used to manufacture plastics and other synthetic materials, is a highly volatile and toxic gas with the potential for serious health impacts.
The National Library of Medicine says styrene gas exposure can cause irritation to the eyes, skin and airways. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to the gas can cause changes in color vision, tiredness, feeling drunk, slowed reaction time, concentration problems and balance problems.
John Keffer, with the Central Railroad of Indiana, which owns the railway, told reporters on Wednesday that the air quality in the area is being continually monitored and tested. Hamilton County EMA released a statement Wednesday, saying, "there is no reason to believe styrene would be present in the air beyond the half-mile radius." As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, local air monitor Airnow.gov listed the air quality in the Cleves area as “Good.”
According to Hamilton County EMA, the Village of Cleves Water Works is not experiencing any issues related to the chemical leak and is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to monitor the water. Keffer told reporters that an update will be provided later on the area's water quality.
According to Hamilton County EMA, the Village of Cleves Water Works is not experiencing any issues related to the chemical leak and is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to monitor the water. Keffer told reporters that an update will be provided later on the area's water quality.
Siefke told reporters that officials have not received any calls from locals reporting injury or illness as a result of the chemical leak.
How did the leak happen?
Ciuba told reporters that it’s unclear what caused the railcar to vent the styrene gas.
“We don’t yet know the specifics of how this happened,” he said. “Right now, we’re focused on the specifics of mitigating the situation, and then, of course, there will be thorough investigations into what caused the incident.”
Siefke told reporters previously that fire crews were spraying the train with water to lower the temperature and reduce the risk of explosion. When asked if the rail car is still an explosion risk, Keffer did not answer directly, but reiterated that the tank car has stopped venting the styrene gas.
“The tank car has stopped venting, as I mentioned before. That’s really where we’re at. We’re continuing to let the professionals continue to do their job on that side,” he said. “The tank car’s still continuing to be monitored, and will until the professionals feel it is deemed safe to move.”
“This is going to be a slow process, this is going to be an all-day event,” Siefke added. “Updates won’t come out as fast. We're really at the mercy of the product and the material.”
This is a developing story.
