- Erin Brockovich visited Ohio following the train derailment that led to a chemical burn.
- Animals in East Palestine have become ill and died amid concerns that the leaked chemicals are toxic.
Environmental activist Erin Brockovich shared a solemn message with residents of East Palestine, Ohio concerned about chemicals unleashed from a train derailment earlier this month: "This is not a quick fix."
After 38 train cars carrying toxic chemicals derailed on February 3, nearby residents evacuated as officials conducted a chemical burn of the hazardous materials hoping to avoid an unexpected explosion. Fumes of toxic vinyl chloride spilled into the air, leaving dark smoke hanging over the town, according to The Associated Press.
Brockovich, along with other activists and lawyers, spoke to a crowd of about 2,000 East Palestine residents concerned about the health and environmental effects, per the AP.
"You're going to be told it's safe, you're going to be told not to worry," Brockovich said, according to the AP. "That's just rubbish, because you're going to worry. Communities want to be seen and heard."
Brockovich, known for challenging Pacific Gas & Electric Company in 1993 for groundwater contamination in California, said she had "never seen anything in 30 years like this," The New York Times reported.
One attorney at the meeting encouraged residents to get their blood and urine tested for dangerous substances, according to the outlet. Several lawsuits have been filed against Norfolk Southern Railroad Company with claims of negligence.
Federal and state officials have said there are no dangerous levels of contaminants in the air and that residents who evacuated can return, according to the Associated Press, but residents remain cautious.
"Don't expect somebody to give you the answers," Brockovich said Friday. "Unfortunately, this is not a quick fix. This is going to be a long game."
She and a slew of attorneys have made their presence in East Palestine known to residents following the disaster, drawing some exasperation from local attorneys, the Times reported.
"Did they even know where East Palestine was prior to this accident?" attorney David Betras told the Times. "They come in with this star power. Like, 'Oh, Erin's gonna solve it.'"