Vinyl chloride: What we know about the toxic chemical released at East Palestine train derailment

Channel 11 is learning more about the toxic chemicals that the derailed train cars in East Palestine were carrying.

LATEST COVERAGE: Chemicals released from 5 cars at train derailment site, air being monitored

Vinyl chloride poses serious health risks. According to the Ohio Health Department, breathing in high levels can make someone pass out or die if they don’t get fresh air.

Doctor Eric Beckman, a Pitt professor of chemical engineering, said the chemical is used to make water pipes.

“The pre-cursor is pretty dangerous and it’s flammable. And it’s thought to cause cancer, specifically liver cancer,” Beckman said. “Violent chloride is really dangerous stuff. And it goes to make something that is useful and not particularly dangerous, so it’s pretty ironic.”

Beckman added because vinyl chloride is a gas, it is easy to be exposed to it.

You can watch the full interview with Dr. Beckman below: