Analysis Shows High Levels of , Hazardous Chemicals , Following East Palestine Derailment.<br />NBC reports that a team of scientists discovered high <br />levels of a chemical irritant near the site where a Norfolk <br />Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in February. .<br />NBC reports that a team of scientists discovered high <br />levels of a chemical irritant near the site where a Norfolk <br />Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, in February. .<br />Following the derailment, a team from Carnegie <br />Mellon and Texas A&M universities searched<br />the area for harmful levels of air pollution. .<br />A primary concern was vinyl chloride, which the train <br />operator intentionally burned following the derailment<br />and health experts raised alarms about.<br />A primary concern was vinyl chloride, which the train <br />operator intentionally burned following the derailment<br />and health experts raised alarms about.<br />Weeks after the crash, acrolein was detected near <br />the derailment site up to six times higher than levels <br />recorded prior to the incident, according to the study.<br />Local residents had been told it was <br />safe to return home on February 8 <br />by both local and federal officials. .<br />Local residents had been told it was <br />safe to return home on February 8 <br />by both local and federal officials. .<br />Researchers warn that long-term <br />exposure to high levels of acrolein <br />could be a health concern. .<br />NBC reports that low levels of acrolein <br />exposure can result in slow breathing and <br />a burning sensation in the nose and throat. .<br />Long-term exposure in animals results <br />in damage to the lining of the lungs, <br />abnormal lesions and nasal tumors. .<br />Researchers were reportedly surprised <br />by the findings, as acrolein was not among the <br />chemicals spilled or burned after the derailment.<br />Researchers were reportedly surprised <br />by the findings, as acrolein was not among the <br />chemicals spilled or burned after the derailment.<br />While researchers have yet to determine how acrolein <br />was present at the site, they believe it could have <br />been a byproduct of other spilled chemicals mixing.
