The U.S. government possesses a specialized plane equipped with advanced sensors known as the ASPECT plane, designed to deploy within an hour of any chemical disaster. However, during a Norfolk Southern derailment in eastern Ohio, the plane arrived four days after the incident, missing crucial data collection opportunities. The whistleblower, Robert Kroutil, revealed that the ASPECT plane could have provided essential information about the chemicals released during the disaster, potentially preventing overreaction measures taken by responders on the ground. Despite the delayed deployment, the data collected was incomplete and irregular, leading to doubts about the accuracy of the findings.
Kroutil disclosed that the EPA asked his company, Kalman & Company, to draft plans for the flight and backdate them to provide favorable documentation for public records. The mission report labeled the flight inconclusive due to incomplete data collection, with chemical sensors turned off over creeks during the flights. Despite these shortcomings, EPA managers altered the report to declare the vent-and-burn operation successful, attributing the lack of detected chemicals to the purported success of the operation. The discrepancies in reporting raise concerns about the accuracy and integrity of EPA’s response to the rail disaster and highlight potential deficiencies in its whole-of-government approach.
Residents of East Palestine remain skeptical of the EPA’s assurances regarding the safety of their town and waterways following the derailment, experiencing respiratory problems and skin irritations. The ongoing cleanup process has involved extensive soil removal and wastewater disposal due to the contamination caused by the disaster, with significant costs incurred by the railroad company. The NTSB investigation indicated that the vent-and-burn operation may not have been necessary, as the tank cars had started to cool, challenging the decision-making process that led to the operation. Kroutil’s experience with the ASPECT plane mission in East Palestine differed from previous deployments, raising questions about the effectiveness of the response.
The ASPECT plane’s delayed deployment and incomplete data collection during the East Palestine disaster contrast with standard practice for similar incidents. Kroutil emphasized the importance of early data collection during chemical disasters, particularly when a visible plume is present, to accurately assess the situation and make informed decisions. Despite Kroutil’s concerns and recommendations for improved response protocols, the EPA’s response coordinator maintains that the ground sensors were sufficient for monitoring air and water quality in the aftermath of the derailment. The contradicting accounts regarding the effectiveness of the ASPECT plane’s flights underscore the need for a thorough investigation into the incident.
Kroutil’s frustrations with the handling of the East Palestine mission prompted his retirement and his decision to speak out about the incident. The delay in deploying the ASPECT plane, along with the alleged turning off of key chemical sensors during the flight over waterways, raise questions about the transparency and effectiveness of the EPA’s response efforts. Rick Turville, Kroutil’s former boss at Kalman, expressed confidence in Kroutil’s expertise and shared his concerns about the delayed deployment, emphasizing the importance of prompt action during chemical disasters to mitigate risks and save lives. The revelations from the East Palestine incident highlight potential flaws in response protocols and the need for improved coordination and communication between agencies involved in disaster response.
