After East Palestine Disaster, New Jersey Residents Ponder Rail Safety

New Jersey's extensive rail network is crucial to the nation's economy, but it also poses significant risks to public safety, especially in the event of accidents. Recently, the East Palestine, Ohio derailment of a freight train carrying vinyl chloride and other chemicals caused a toxic plume that sparked fears of toxic rains across thousands of miles. This disaster has become one of the most reported on environmental incidents in the history of the United States. Tens of millions of Americans watched their smartphones in horror as thick, toxic plumes of black smoke poured out of the train wreckage and wondered if and when that cloud might reach their skies.

Residents of New Jersey are concerned that a similar event could happen in their state. The Garden State is home to numerous chemical manufacturing facilities and oil refineries, which are major producers and consumers of hazardous chemicals. Many of these chemical plants have themselves had incidents that tend to be reported by the news and then forgotten about, such as the 11-alarm Qualco chemical plant fire in Passaic in January 2022 that saw an entire warehouse of plastics and chlorine burnt up in the middle of a bustling city of 69,000. These facilities rely heavily on railways to transport their products, frequently using railcars that are ill-equipped to prevent leaks and spills. Outdated and poorly maintained rail infrastructure is also an ongoing problem, increasing the likelihood of accidents and derailments.

New Jersey's aging network of railways is a heavily congested system containing over 1,000 miles of freight lines, with many trains sharing the same tracks. This creates a situation where accidents and derailments are more likely to happen, especially when trains are forced to operate at high speeds to maintain schedules. Furthermore, the state has the highest population density in the US, with railways frequently cutting through dense urban population centers. Any accidents that occur have a huge impact on those populations and are seldom far from schools, parks, and community centers.

New Jersey has a history of train accidents and derailments that have resulted in hazardous chemical spills. In 2012, a train derailment in Paulsboro released toxic vinyl chloride into the air, causing dozens of people to seek medical attention. Interestingly, this is one of the same chemicals that were released in the East Palestine derailment in February 2023.

Many of the hazardous chemicals transported by rail are highly toxic and can cause serious harm to humans and the environment. These chemicals can contaminate the air, water, and soil, putting nearby communities at risk for generations. Even small spills can have a significant impact on public health, and the long-term effects of exposure to these chemicals can be severe.

While measures have been taken to improve safety, such as increased inspections and the implementation of Positive Train Control technology, many citizens feel that more needs to be done to prevent accidents and mitigate the damage in the event of a spill. Regulatory bodies, rail companies, and chemical manufacturers often attempt to work together to ensure that hazardous materials are transported safely and securely, and that emergency response plans are in place in the event of an accident. However, change can be slow, as is often the case in the Garden State funding and politics tend to get in the way.

As of this writing, New Jersey legislators are working on bills that would improve safety standards when hazardous materials are transported by rail within the state. However, it remains to be seen if and when these bills will become law and how readily they will be enforced. With the recent East Palestine derailment fresh in their minds, New Jersey residents are keen to ensure that their state does not become the site of the next environmental disaster.