As residents of East Palestine, Ohio, demand answers two weeks after a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in their town, toxic chemicals burst into flames, causing a lingering sense of worry and distress over the event. At Wednesday's community meeting, which called together a gymnasium full of the town of 5,000, people were seeking transparency and reassurance that their long-term health won't be impacted.

To safeguard themselves and any similar disasters in the future, government officials have identified two key needs for the East Palestine situation. Railroads like Norfolk Southern must provide an immediate statement that reveals all contents on a derailed train, so that emergency responders, health officials and citizens know the extent of the hazard. This is of utmost importance, as media reports indicate that the rail contained not just vinyl chloride, but also three cancer-causing chemicals.

Secondly, authorities must conduct comprehensive monitoring to confirm that water