Comicomment: Toxic neglect

In early February of this year, a train derailment occurred in East Palestine, Ohio, U.S., causing the leakage of various toxic chemicals. Although U.S. government officials have repeatedly claimed that they have yet to detect dangerous levels of chemicals in the air or municipal water, many local residents have reported symptoms such as headaches and skin burns, and are also concerned about long-term effects such as cancer.

The U.S. government's disregard for life and slow response during the entire incident has sparked public dissatisfaction and highlighted deep-rooted problems in the U.S. system. Under the failed system of American-style “democracy,” American politicians are more concerned with shifting blame than finding solutions, and the so-called American-style “beacon of human rights” has left many citizens with nowhere to turn for basic health and safety.