EAST PALESTINE — This year is all about rebuilding for East Palestine. Local officials and community members gathered to celebrate the opening of a new office for the Train Derailment Health Research Team at the Way Station.
The event was invite-only, featuring experts from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIH), the Ohio Department of Health, and universities, including Yale and the University of Pittsburgh. Misti Allison, from the research program, hosted the gathering, which included speeches from various leaders and concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Dr. Kyle Walsh, a representative from the NIH, shared that he joined the research team last October. This team was awarded $10 million for research related to the derailment that occurred in 2023. This funding aims to study the health effects on those affected by the incident. The program will connect directly with community members, assist in research studies, and help locals participate in federally supported research.
Three years ago, a Norfolk Southern freight train derailed in East Palestine, carrying hazardous materials like vinyl chloride and butyl acrylate. The aftermath included fires and concerns about air quality, leading many residents to report health issues, such as headaches and respiratory problems.
According to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this new program seeks to provide accurate information on the health impacts of the derailment. “The NIH’s research hub offers the people of East Palestine a pathway to clear answers about their health,” stated HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. He emphasized that those affected deserve access to trustworthy scientific data.
Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff from the Ohio Department of Health expressed that the office’s opening is a significant step forward for the community. “The State of Ohio is committed to this community,” he affirmed. East Palestine’s village manager, Antonio Diaz-Guy, echoed those sentiments, highlighting the research’s importance in understanding the disaster’s effects. He noted, “Days like this forward the conversation.”
Stephanie Conn, CEO of East Liverpool City Hospital, assured the community of the hospital’s dedication to their health. The research team, led by Dr. Erin Haynes from the University of Pittsburgh, is actively recruiting participants for their studies. They focus not only on health symptoms but also on determining the effects on liver and thyroid functions, alongside water quality assessments.
This research is open to anyone connected to East Palestine or those involved in the cleanup efforts. Participants aged 8 to 17 must have a parent or guardian join in. There’s even compensation available for participation in surveys and follow-up health measures.
For more details, check out the [East Palestine Health Research page](https://www.research.uky.edu/environmental/east-palestine-health-research).
The dedication ceremony drew many local leaders, including council members and mayors, all of whom are eager to support East Palestine’s recovery.
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Local News,Train Derailment Health Research Team’s office grand opening
