By Gwen Albers, New Castle News

Larry Berdine hasn’t stopped coughing since a Norfolk Southern train hauling toxic chemicals derailed a year ago in East Palestine, Ohio, 4½ miles from his home.

“It’s been a solid year, and I have no idea [what’s causing it],” said Berdine, who three days after the fiery Feb. 3, 2023, crash watched a massive plume of black smoke go over his home when emergency workers burned off cancer-causing vinyl chloride in tank cars to prevent an explosion.

“I was sitting in my living room and saw the smoke,” the 77-year-old retired trucker said. “I could look right out my picture window and see the sky turn black. It rolled right over the trees.”

As the anniversary of the derailment approaches, some believe the worst has passed, while others worry about what lies ahead. Some say the disaster has left the town divided, while others believe the town is better off.

Since the derailment, Norfolk Southern has committed $103 million to East Palestine and the surrounding communities. The village of nearly 4,800 received $25 million to improve its park and another $4.3 million to upgrade its water system with new technology, infrastructure and a carbon filtration system. Another $9 million has been set aside for local first responders and $25 million to fund a regional safety training center for first responders. That center will be located in East Palestine.

In October, Norfolk Southern announced it had removed 167,000 tons of soil from the derailment zone and sampled more than 1,000 water wells. Authorities continue to test air and water wells in the area.

The National Transportation Safety Board said the derailment was likely caused by an overheated bearing on a rail car. A sensor triggered an alarm about that bearing, but the crew didn’t have time to stop the train before cars loaded with hazardous chemicals began to careen off the tracks.

Chad Edwards, the village manager for East Palestine since Nov. 1, said as a newcomer, he believes “things are OK.”

“I am not concerned for my safety, based on the test results I have seen,” Edwards said. “I do trust the EPA and regulatory agencies because I have to deal with them. I know they don’t let things slide.

“I do not want to make light of people who have concerns,” he added. “I try to remain sensitive.”