Mustafa Santiago Ali is executive vice president of the National Wildlife Federation. He previously spent 24 years at the Environmental Protection Agency and was a founding member of the agency’s Office of Environmental Justice.In a small Northeast Ohio town of East Palestine, a train derailed and in the days long fire that ensued, hazardous chemicals like vinyl chloride, hydrogen chloride, ethylhexyl acrylate spilled from the train into the air, soil, and water.‘It’s going to happen again’:Residents seek change after East Palestine train derailmentWhy are these chemicals reason for concern?While these chemicals are used in everyday products, PVC pipes, plastic products, and construction, if they come into contact with people, their effects can be wide ranging and dangerous, including headaches, nausea, burning sensations in the ears, eyes, and nose, and even lifelong and life-threatening respiratory issues.Mustafa Santiago Ali is executive vice president of the National Wildlife Federation. He previously spent 24 years at the Environmental Protection Agency and was a founding member of the agency’s Office of Environmental Justice.We don’t know yet the extent of the impact of this incident — the Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Ohio have not yet detected the worst of these chemicals in the air or water. For residents, however, who are worried about their families and access to clean and safe air and water, the fear is that once media attention and government oversight fade, the effects of these chemicals could remain.We also do not know yet the impact on wildlife and ecosystems in the area.Opinion:’Bomb train’ derailed. We are suffering pain of the hit. Call Biden, Gov. DewineEnvironmental impact may not be known for years.The cleanup of portions of a Norfolk Southern freight train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.The release of manmade chemicals into water, soil, and air can have disastrous effects on delicate ecosystems that are already under threat from the climate crisis.To understand and mitigate the effects on people and wildlife in the affected area, the state of Ohio and the EPA must ensure transparent and ongoing research and support in the region.Railroads, and other critical infrastructure, are often built in areas where residents have little say about the potential safety considerations.Black and brown, and less affluent communities most impacted by such incidents.Attorney David Betras speaks to a room full of people about the East Palestine train derailment. Betras said he hopes to represent some area residents as they seek to hold the railroad company and officials accountable.It may be years or decades before we know the full impact of an accident like this on wildlife and plants in the area.Historically, Black and brown communities and less affluent communities have been the site of railroads, highways, and other infrastructure.When accidents occur, these communities are often the first and worst impacted – becoming something of a national sacrifice zone even while facing disastrous health and financial impacts.The government must seek answers swiftly.We also need the Biden Administration to get to the bottom of why this accident occurred where it did and the way it did.The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Railroad Administration should conduct a thorough investigation into how our existing infrastructure and recent regulatory changes may have contributed to this disaster.The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration also rolled back regulations limiting the vapor pressure restrictions on petroleum byproducts transported by rail.We don’t yet know the impact of these changes on what happened in East Palestine, Ohio, but we need to get to the bottom of whether they contributed to the disaster.The uncertainty hanging over eastern Ohio is as clear as the plumes of smoke wafting over East Palestine.More:Thousands of fish found dead days after Ohio train derailment, toxic spill in East PalestineThe people of Ohio need the Biden and DeWine administrations to get to the bottom of what happened and to transparently share the short- and long-term risks facing people and wildlife alike.A stream seen near the East Palestine train derailment on Feb. 13, 2023.We know, for example, that the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and the Federal Railroad Administration worked during the Trump administration to relax standards for electronically controlled pneumatic brake systems on trains carrying hazardous and flammable materials.Our nation has far too many sacrifice zones — communities treated like environmental and health externalities. East Palestine should not be the latest to join that inexcusable list.Mustafa Santiago Ali is executive vice president of the National Wildlife Federation. He previously spent 24 years at the Environmental Protection Agency and was a founding member of the agency’s Office of Environmental Justice.