Ohio senator blasts train operator and lobbyists over toxic derailment

The Ohio senator Sherrod Brown had harsh criticism on Sunday for corporate lobbyists and Norfolk Southern, the Atlanta-based operator of the train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio, two weeks ago while carrying toxic chemicals.

Brown said Norfolk Southern and corporate lobbyists were wholly responsible for the accident, which has caused breathing difficulties, rashes, nausea, headaches and swollen eyes, as well as killing pets and wildlife.

On Tuesday, Norfolk Southern pledged to distribute more than $1.2m to nearly 900 families and a number of businesses affected by the crash, spill and burn. A company spokesman said the financial assistance included direct payments of $1,000.

Earlier this year, the company announced $10bn in stock buybacks. Last year, it reported $3.2bn in profits.

Brown warned residents along the Ohio and Pennsylvania border to be cautious.

Brown said he had urged Joe Biden and the US transportation secretary, Pete Buttigieg, to strengthen regulations surrounding worker safety, consumer protection and the environment.

In a tweet on Wednesday, Buttigieg said that the administration was restricted by certain laws on rail regulation.

That was a reference to to an Obama-era rule the Trump administration repealed, which required trains carrying highly flammable crude oil be equipped with special brakes to halt all cars at the same time.