Documentary filmmaker coming to Pittsburgh to discuss East Palestine and vinyl chloride

PITTSBURGH ― An award-winning documentarian is coming to the region to host a discussion on vinyl chloride and its effects on the environment.

The Carnegie Museum of Art will host a screening of Judith Helfand's "Blue Vinyl" documentary at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19. The award-winning "toxicomedy," which was originally released in 2002, focuses on the production of vinyl chloride and the negative health effects associated with these chemicals in the creation of vinyl siding for homes.

Following a screening of the film, Helfand will join several local environmental activists to discuss the implications of the burning of vinyl chloride that occurred in East Palestine following the Ohio train derailment last year. In the discussion, several Pittsburgh-based experts who were on the ground following the release will talk about the impact on the community and their local environment.

To reserve a spot at the event, attendees are encouraged to reserve their tickets online. The event is expected to take place over three hours and includes free access to the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.

This article originally appeared on Beaver County Times: Filmmaker coming to Pittsburgh to discuss hazards of vinyl chloride