Despite testimony to the contrary, Pennsylvania officials say they have found no evidence that animals in Western Pennsylvania were harmed by the East Palestine train derailment.
During a hearing Thursday at Beaver County Community College, top Pennsylvania government officials listed tests, laboratory research and on-site investigations conducted by their staff on land and waterways near the derailment site close to the state's western border. No dead animals — wild or domesticated, terrestrial, aquatic or avian — were found, they said. Researchers from several Pennsylvania agencies and departments found no traces of liquid or gaseous vinyl chloride emitted after the Norfolk Southern train derailed Feb. 3.
Nevertheless, a Pennsylvania state senator said a chemical fire and toxic smoke at the disaster site was linked to animal fatalities in Pennsylvania.
