WASHINGTON, D. C. - The National Institutes of Health announced Thursday that it’s launching a five-year, $10 million research initiative to study and address long-term health issues resulting from the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.
NIH said the study was sought by Vice President JD Vance, a Cincinnati Republican who visited the community multiple times while serving as U.S. Senator from Ohio
“This is a very big day, not just for the people of East Palestine, but for anybody who wants to understand the connection between the chemicals that we use every day and the effects that it has on people’s health,” Vance said in a video posted to social media. “No one has tried to do this in this particular way. I think it’s going to benefit millions of Americans.”
On Feb. 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment involving 38 cars carrying hazardous chemicals—including vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylene glycol, and benzene residue—resulted in prolonged fires in East Palestine, NIH said. Several railcars burned for days after the derailment, and emergency responders conducted controlled burns that raised concerns about the airborne release of hydrogen chloride and phosgene.
Community members experienced and reported a range of initial health symptoms—including headaches as well as respiratory, skin, and eye irritations—prompting concern about broader long-term impacts on maternal and child health as well as psychological, immunological, respiratory, and cardiovascular effects, according to NIH.
NIH said it will issue a series of grants to researchers to conduct the studies, with research proposals being accepted until July 21.
“NIH is working to ensure that the people of East Palestine and the surrounding communities are listened to, cared for, and get the answers they deserve,” said a statement from NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya. “This multi-disciplinary research program will focus on public health tracking and surveillance of the community’s health conditions to support health care decisions and preventive measures.”
Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., in a statement, said the program “will support robust community engaged epidemiological research to understand the impacts of exposures on short and long term injuries.”
A statement from Gov. Mike DeWine said the funding “will enable the people of East Palestine to have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that any potential for long-term health effects will be studied by the scientists at the National Institutes of Health.”
U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno, a Westlake Republican, called the upcoming studies “a huge step toward finally getting justice for East Palestine,” while U.S. Sen. Jon Husted, a Columbus-area Republican, said they’ll ensure “that we have the facts necessary to respond effectively and compassionately—now and into the future.“
“I couldn’t be more pleased with this announcement and the meaningful support this administration is delivering to my constituents,” added a statement from U.S. Rep. Mike Rulli, a Salem Republican whose district includes East Palestine.
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