LONDON, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)'s response over the train derailment in the state of Ohio has drawn intense criticism from local residents and public health experts, British newspaper The Guardian has reported.

The EPA's internal watchdog division is opening an investigation into the handling of the East Palestine train wreck which caused a toxic disaster, but it declined to comment on why it is launching the investigation, according to the report published Wednesday.

Local residents and public health advocates said it has failed to fully protect East Palestine from toxic chemicals released from train cars and a controlled burn of vinyl chloride in the days after the wreck.

The Joe Biden administration has not been cautious enough in its approach, or taken strong enough action against Norfolk Southern, the rail company behind the disaster, said the report, citing U.S. critics.