Pilot: Center for Appalachian Research in Environmental Sciences: East Palestine Train Derailment Health Tracking Study

Grants and Contracts Details

Description

RESEARCH SUMMARY On February 3, 2023, a freight train derailed and caught fire in the town of East Palestine, Ohio. Of the derailed rail cars, ~20 of them were carrying hazardous materials, which were released into the air, soil, and water. Of further concern, a controlled release/burning of the remaining toxic chemicals was performed prompting officials to order an immediate mandatory evacuation of all residents. The evacuation order was lifted after the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a statement that air quality was safe. However, residents remain concerned about safety, while others have reported symptoms including headaches and difficulty breathing, as well as odors in the home and in the community. At present, a systematic evaluation of the experiences, exposures, and health symptoms (including stress outcomes), of the residents of East Palestine and the surrounding area related to the train derailment disaster has not been conducted. Moreover, residents are still experiencing symptoms and odors as the cleanup continues. This proposal will take the critical foundational steps toward launching longitudinal investigations of exposures and health impacts and ensuring effective and targeted communication of results to residents in the East Palestine community and surrounding populations. Given our longstanding community-engaged environmental health science research studies in nearby communities, we are strategically poised to accomplish the following specific aims. Specific Aim 1: Examine experiences/concerns, health symptoms, psychosocial/traumatic stress, emotional well-being of residents of East Palestine and the surrounding area related to the train derailment disaster, as well as changes in these measures over time; and Specific Aim 2: Conduct a pilot study to assess air exposure and potential markers of exposure and effect. This time-sensitive and highly relevant study provides the first opportunity for community members to identify their research priorities based on their experiences/concerns and includes a health tracking study (via an online survey) to fully characterize and collect longitudinal measures of health symptoms, stress, and well-being of East Palestine residents. We will also be the first to characterize biomarkers of exposure and effect in the population. This study will take the next foundational steps to develop a longitudinal cohort to measure the long-term health outcomes associated with this disaster.
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date7/7/234/30/24

Funding

  • National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

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