Over the last week in Whitewater Township, Ohio, a dangerous chemical leak involving a railcar venting styrene prompted an evacuation and shelter-in-place orders for over 200 homes. The railcar, owned or leased by INEOS, began leaking styrene, a toxic and flammable substance used in plastics and rubber manufacturing, on Tuesday afternoon. The car had been stationary for seven days before the leak was detected, releasing styrene vapors into the air.
The evacuation affected the area surrounding U.S. Route 50 and State Route 128, with residents forced to leave their homes as authorities worked to stabilize the railcar. Crews from multiple agencies, including the Greater Cincinnati Hazardous Materials Unit and the Ohio EPA, responded to the scene. The leak was caused by a chemical reaction that heated the styrene into a gas, prompting concerns about an explosion. Emergency crews worked through the night to cool down the railcar by applying water, successfully stabilizing the situation by Wednesday morning.
By late Wednesday afternoon, air quality tests confirmed no dangerous levels of styrene in the atmosphere, and the evacuation order was lifted at around 6:15 p.m. The railcar had been transported safely to its final destination in Addyston, Ohio, and U.S. 50 and Ohio 128 were reopened. Despite assurances from officials, some residents expressed ongoing concerns about potential health effects and environmental contamination, particularly in their yards and water supplies. While air and water quality were declared safe, residents were advised to call for further testing if they had concerns.
The incident has raised questions about how the leak went undetected for days and why the railcar was left stationary for so long. Federal regulators are investigating the cause of the leak. In response, authorities have set up phone lines for residents to receive support and information.
