A hamlet in Ohio laments the derailed chemical train as “our Chernobyl.”
John and Lisa Hamner, residents of East Palestine, experienced the end of their way of life at 20:55 on February 3.
On that day, a toxic train crashed only a few yards from their prosperous garbage truck business, which they had built up over the course of 18 years in and around this small Ohio town, going from five clients to more than 7,000.
He spoke to the BBC while fighting back tears in the parking area of his company, where the stink of chemicals and sulphur from the derailment is still very strong.
I want to get out of here at this point, he continued. “We’ll change locations. We are unable to continue.”
Mr. Hamner attributes his red, puffy eyes to the physical aftereffects of the chemical incident in East Palestine.
Nonetheless, he and his wife told the BBC that their primary psychological and invisible traumas.
“I’m getting so little sleep. I’ve already seen the doctor twice, and I take medication for my anxiousness “explained he.
“This is ten times worse than simply losing my job. We created this company.”
The crash has caused The Hamners to lose business.
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Due to the accident, the Hamners’ trucking firm has experienced business losses.
Mrs. Hamner claimed that, like her husband, she has had sleepless nights worrying about their company, their 10 employees, and the community in which she has lived for the past 20 years.
Some of their long-time clients have already canceled their collecting services and declared their intention to depart East Palestine.
I’m worried about the residents here, she says. “Because there are so many issues, I don’t know anyone who can sleep. Your friends’ health, your business, and your own health are all involved.”
Mr. Hamner compared the tragedy to “East Palestine’s Chernobyl,” a reference to a nuclear catastrophe that occurred in then-Soviet Ukraine in April 1986, while seated atop a mound of dirt in view of the burned-out remnants of several railway carriages from the derailment.
It’s not just him. Some East Palestine locals told the BBC over the course of two days that they view the derailment as a turning point in the town’s history. Their lives will be judged by what happened before the 3 February accident and what transpired after, at least for the foreseeable future.
“This is the 9/11 or Pearl Harbor for this town. One of those topics that people frequently discuss, “said Ben Ratner, owner of the coffee business.
In Mr. Ratner’s instance, he said that the stress and trauma had shown up as a “interesting mix” of feelings and physical symptoms.
How hazardous are the chemicals from the Ohio train crash?
After a railway catastrophe, confusion and dread engulf a hamlet in Ohio.
He adds that the trains appear louder and more abrasive than they had in the past, and he now physically bristles at the sound of them passing by, which was once commonplace.
He equated his companions’ sentiments of being always on high alert and easily panicking in East Palestine to post-traumatic stress.
He remarked, “We need to start considering the long-term emotional and psychological impact.”
When people hear trains, worry about their children going outside, or allow their dog outside and it unintentionally drinks contaminated water, they become frightened. This is serious.
