Around 45,000 fish and aquatic animals have died due to the leak from the train that derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3, writes the BBC.
Residents have testified that they inhaled toxic smoke and several say they got sick and developed rashes.
The authorities have replied that the water is now drinkable - but this has been met with skepticism from the locals.
On location in Ohio is the environmentalist Erin Brockovich, known for having led the legal process in the Hinkley poison scandal where chemicals in the drinking water caused cancer among residents in the area.
"Feels familiar"
Brockovich is deeply critical of the crisis management and says that the residents of the city no longer know who to trust.
Brockovich says that she herself has no confidence in the responsible authorities and that the local residents are caught between various politicians and corporate interests.
- I have worked with this for 30 years.
The lack of information that these people have been given, they have almost been left here not knowing what is going on, where to go or who to turn to.
It all feels very familiar to me, it's similar to what happened in Hinkley, Brockovich told CNN.
Mistrust is something that former President Donald Trump took advantage of.
Earlier this week, Trump visited the resort and handed out bottles of "Trump water" and offered food from McDonald's to blue light staff.
- Your kindness and perseverance have been met with indifference and betrayal, Trump said.
Biden is criticized for Kiev trip
The sitting president, Joe Biden, however, has not visited the affected area.
Instead, he traveled to Ukraine and Poland ahead of the anniversary of Russia's invasion.
The absence is heavily criticized.
The Republican mayor of the area has, among other things, called Biden's actions "a slap in the face".
The White House has instead sent Transport Minister Pete Buttigieg there and announced that they are working to hold the company responsible for the transport accountable.