Federal government commits $10M for East Palestine health study

The federal government plans to spend $10 million in taxpayer funds on a five-year study on the health impact from the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio.

The money and the study came at the urging of Vice President J.D. Vance, who worked with former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown on train safety and other East Palestine legislation in the months and years following the derailment and subsequent toxic chemical release.

“As a senator, it was incredibly frustrating watching the Biden administration refuse to examine the potentially dangerous health impacts on the people of East Palestine following the train derailment,” Vance said. “I’m proud that we finally have a new president that takes the concerns of everyday, working-class people seriously. This historic research initiative will finally result in answers that this community deserves."

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. said the National Institutes of Health will conduct the study.

“Vice President Vance, thank you for your persistence on this issue,” Kennedy said. “You helped drive the first large-scale, coordinated, multi-year federal study dedicated to the long-term health effects of the East Palestine, Ohio, disaster. The people of East Palestine have a right to clear, science-backed answers about the impact on their health.”

At about 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 3, 2023, 53 Norfolk Southern train cars derailed in East Palestine. A vent and burn of toxic chemicals stoked controversy on its nececessity.

Since that time, community members have complained of initial health symptoms, including headaches, respiratory issues and skin and eye irritations.

The study is expected to focus on the health impacts of short- and long-term health outcomes, public health tracking and surveillance, and communication between researchers, study participants, community stakeholders and health care providers.

"The announcement today of the funding for long-term health studies for the people of East Palestine is great news for the community,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “This 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.”

At a public hearing in June 2024 in East Palestine, National Transportation and Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy called Norfolk Southern’s attempts to sway the investigation unprecedented and reprehensible.

She reiterated the board’s finding that the eventual vent and burn following the crash was unnecessary, and the report said the crash could have been avoided.

It blamed the crash that forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 residents on the wheel bearing of rail car 23, which caught fire, causing the axle to fall off and derail the train.

The final report confirmed the initial findings.