In the packed East Palestine High School gymnasium, residents shouted about their health and safety fears and their distrust of the rail company.
At first authorities were worried there could be explosions, but eventually they were able to remove the contents of five tanker cars full of vinyl chloride that is used in plastic production.
Residents have been told by the rail company and state officials that the air and water in East Palestine is safe .
Others questioned how the area can possibly be safe when the Ohio Department of Natural Resources confirmed the chemical spill is responsible for the demise of 3,500 small fish across 12 kilometres of streams. Officials have said the toxins responsible killing fish are not present in high enough levels to harm a human.
“We have become increasingly concerned about the growing physical threat to our employees and members of the community around this event stemming from the increasing likelihood of the participation of outside parties,” a spokesman for the railroad company said in a statement.
“Typically, the chemical involved in the controlled release to the air, vinyl chloride, only lasts in the atmosphere for less than 24 hours.