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A scientist slammed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for not testing for dioxins, a cancer-causing chemical that is “no doubt” in the environment of East Palestine, Ohio, as a result of the February 6 controlled detonation that was conducted in response to the train derailment.
Stephen Lester, science director at the Center for Health, Environment and Justice, told WKBN there is no doubt in his mind that dioxins were released during the controlled burn of vinyl chloride in East Palestine last month.
The scientist said the EPA’s decision not to test for the highly toxic chemical compound is a “lame excuse” and “wrong.”
U.S. EPA Regional Administrator Debra Shore said the agency will not test for dioxins at this time.
“Dioxins are ubiquitous in the environment. They were here before the accident, they will be here after, and we don’t have baseline information in this area to do a proper test. But, we are talking to our toxicologist and looking into it,” Shore said.
Dioxins are highly toxic pollutants that can cause cancer, reproductive and developmental problems, as well as damage to the immune system, WKBN noted.