To call attention to the impacts of petrochemical pollution, residents and activists from East Palestine and other regions of the country mark the one-year anniversary of the Norfolk Southern toxic train derailment through art and ritual. East Palestine, Ohio, United States.
On 3 February 2023, a Norfolk Southern train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, a small town of 4,700 residents. The train contained hazardous materials, including known carcinogens. It was one of the most toxic train spills in the history of the United States, which raised concerns about the environmental and public health impacts of the derailment. This project chronicles the aftermath of the disaster and its continuing impact on the local community after national media attention waned. Embedded with residents as they sought corporate accountability and navigated conflicting health information, the photographer captures the nuanced new reality of East Palestine in limbo, highlighting the complex relationships between residents and their environment, health, and governing institutions.
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