According to independent citizen journalist Kanekoa The Great, Norfolk Southern hired a controversial consulting firm to conduct toxicology tests in the East Palestine train derailment aftermath.
BREAKING: East Palestine toxicology test relies on a controversial consulting firm accused of serving corporate interest rather than public health.https://t.co/vQFvH0MLG7
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) February 15, 2023
The company, Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH), has an alleged history of providing falsified data to serve corporate interests of its employers over public health.
CTEH was hired by BP after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.
Per The New York Times:
After a million gallons of oil spilled on a Louisiana town in 2005, after a flood of toxic coal ash smothered central Tennessee in 2008 and after defective Chinese drywall began plaguing Florida homeowners, the same firm was on the scene — saying everything was fine.
Now that the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH) has a high-profile role in the Gulf spill, local community groups and other chemical testing veterans see a troubling pattern at work. As BP continues to claim that the leaking oil has caused “no significant exposures,” despite the hospitalization of several workers and the sparse release of test data, these observers of CTEH’s work say the firm has a vested interest in finding a clean bill of health to satisfy its corporate employer.
“It’s essentially the fox guarding the chicken coop,” said Nicholas Cheremisinoff, a former Exxon chemical engineer who now consults on pollution prevention.
Lawmakers: CTEH has a long pattern of tainted results prioritizing corporate interests over public health.
NYT: CTEH is the fox guarding the chicken coop that gets paid to say everything is ok.
Norfolk Southern: We hired CTEH to test the air and water.https://t.co/r8cZAZqzpI
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) February 16, 2023
Kanekoa The Great discovered a 2010 letter from Congressional Democrats pressuring BP to fire CTEH over its alleged “history of being hired by companies accused of harming public health and releasing findings defending the corporate interests that employ them.”
BREAKING: In 2010, Congressional Democrats pressured BP to fire the toxicology testing company used by Norfolk Southern and the EPA in East Palestine, Ohio.
The lawmakers claimed the company was prioritizing corporate interests over public health.https://t.co/IwgX1s7i2Q pic.twitter.com/vsEReVSOGv
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) February 15, 2023
From Kanekoa News:
In 2010, Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.) and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) called for BP to end its contract with CTEH. The lawmakers alleged that CTEH had a history of botched data collection methods and supplying insufficient data to serve the corporate interests of its employers rather than protecting public health.
Now, Norfolk Southern has hired CTEH to perform tests on the water, air, and soil quality in East Palestine, Ohio.
In an article by the Morning Journal, residents could call the CTEH toxicology line for questions about health or safety concerns.
For air quality information, specifically the readings that have been taken on a continuous basis in East Palestine and the area, visit epaosc.org.
For questions about health or safety concerns, call the CTEH toxicology line
A press release from Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro cited an “independent contractor” hired by Norfolk Southern to work with officials to take air quality samples.
There will be ongoing air monitoring in the area, but for those who would like air quality readings to be conducted within their homes, Norfolk Southern Railroad has hired an independent contractor to work with local law enforcement, the U.S. EPA, and state officials to take air quality samples and provide results at no charge to residents. Free testing of water from private wells in the impacted area will also be offered by the independent contractor hired by the railroad. Testing will be offered for every private well in Pennsylvania. In the interim, those with private water wells are encouraged to use bottled water, which will be supplied by Norfolk Southern. Those who remain uncomfortable returning home at this time can also request assistance with hotel expenses from the railroad.
The bottom of the press release cited CTEH.
Residents in the East Palestine area have already shared concerns after interactions with CTEH contractors and EPA officials.
Katlyn Schwarzwaelder spoke with Glenn Beck about her interactions.
According to Schwarzwaelder, a gentleman from CTEH said, “we follow around the railroad when they make mistakes, and they are happy to have us here.”
“When CTEH came to our facility to test our air, they had not offered water services at that point in time; they handed me a contract that essentially said that I needed to hold Norfolk, their affiliates, including CTEH, harmless of any future liabilities,” she explained.
WATCH:
#34 Katlyn Schwarzwaelder tells Glenn Beck the lab responsible for testing in the aftermath of the Norfolk Southern train crash is not truly independent, as it works for the railway company.
Additionally, over 340 residents have reportedly signed https://t.co/vQFvH0MLG7… pic.twitter.com/DFvLJocKUl
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) February 16, 2023
DC Draino urged residents not to sign any liability waivers against Norfolk Southern or any of its affiliates.
340+ residents have already signed
This is CRIMINAL
DON’T SIGN!!
— DC_Draino (@DC_Draino) February 15, 2023
Watch the full interview with Glenn Beck:
Investigative journalist Addy Adds interviewed Kathy and Kayla, two residents reportedly from the East Palestine area, who said CTEH is offering individuals $1,000 to remove all liability from Norfolk Southern and its affiliates.
WATCH:
Kathy and Kayla are residents of East Palestine, Ohio.
"My step daughter is sick with a rash, sore throat, breathing and she wasn't even in East Palestine."
Kathy verified that CTEH is offering people $1,000 to remove all liability from CTEH and Norfolk Southern Railway for… pic.twitter.com/xHgu5fiPO1
— Addy Adds (@OneAddyAdds) February 16, 2023
Read the full report about CTEH’s controversial history at Kanekoa News.
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