Stephanie Shepherd Instagram – my beloved home state of Ohio, my heart is with you. about 2 hours from where I grew up, the town of East Palestine is suffering from a catastrophic humanitarian and ecological crisis. a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed carrying hundreds of thousands of gallons of chemicals, including vinyl chloride. A chemical used in PVC— vinyl chloride is a flammable, toxic, colorless gas that is linked to brain, lung, blood, and liver cancer. close to 5000 Ohio residents within a 2 mile radius were told to evacuate while authorities carried out a “controlled release” and burning of the vinyl chloride. sending massive plumes of hydrochloric acid and the toxic gas phosgene into the sky. 2 weeks have now passed and though the area is deemed “safe to return”, local residents are complaining of headaches, dizziness and fevers. As well as multiple reports of dead pets, chicken, livestock and 3500 dead fish in local waterways, including the Ohio River. there is a link in my bio to petition Governor DeWine and @PresidentBiden to declare a national emergency and take over the clean up to ensure complete air, water, and medical monitoring of the affected population. 💔 photos from @aplasticplant/ @kanekoathegreat