NIH Grants $10 Million to Study Health Impact of East Palestine Train Disaster
Seven-year study will monitor exposed residents for signs of illness following 2023 chemical release
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $10 million grant to investigate the long-term health effects of the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The accident, which led to the release and controlled burn of toxic chemicals, raised major concerns among residents about possible lingering health risks that officials initially downplayed.
The funding will support a seven-year study led by the University of Southern California and Case Western Reserve University to track the health outcomes of residents exposed to hazardous chemicals following the Norfolk Southern crash and cleanup operation.
Researchers plan to monitor the health of 1,000 area residents, focusing on changes in liver function, hormone levels, inflammation, and signs of early cancer development. While officials initially assured residents the air and water were safe, the study aims to uncover any potential links between the exposure and long-term illness. Participants will be recruited starting this summer, with testing expected to begin by the end of the year.
Info provided by The New York Post
Other reporting by The Daily Dots on the East Palestine Train disaster:
FEMA Documents Reveal Federal Alarm Over Toxic Exposure in East Palestine Despite Public Assurances
Months before President Biden sent FEMA’s Jim McPherson to East Palestine, Ohio, internal federal emails show officials were deeply concerned about the health risks posed by the vinyl chloride tank fire. Although residents reported illness and called for help following the controlled burn of 115,000 gallons of toxic chemicals, public statements from age…
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