Train tracks at the site of the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio days before the accident's 1 year anniversary. Residents still aren't sure the area is safe.

Train tracks at the site of the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio days before the accident's 1 year anniversary. Residents still aren't sure the area is safe. / Elizabeth Gillis/NPR

It was a year ago this month that a Norfolk Southern freight train with 38 cars derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.

Twenty of those train cars carried hazardous materials. In the days after the crash officials, decided to burn off one of those hazardous materials, vinyl chloride. The burn and massive plume of smoke it created caused environmental problems and concerns about the health and safety of residents.

A year after that devastating derailment and chemical burn the train company Norfolk Southern and the EPA say the air and water are safe.

The people who have to go on living there aren't so sure.

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