The National Institutes of Health (NIH) have committed to a research project lasting five years, with a considerable funding of $10 million, to explore the long-term health consequences that have emerged from the unfortunate train derailment in East Palestine on February 3, 2023. Vice President J.D. Vance has been a prominent advocate for this significant research project. He emphasized that this research endeavor will provide much-needed answers for the distressed community.
On a visit to East Palestine on February 16, 2024, the Vice President announced six research grants from the NIH intended to investigate the immediate and long-term health impacts of the tragic derailment incident. These grants have been distributed to renowned educational establishments including Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and two others allotted to the University of Pittsburgh.
The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), a constituent of the NIH, highlighted that several grantees were already immersed in related work in the affected community and had fostered cooperative relations with the local residents. The official NIEHS website gives additional insights into the scope and objectives of these research studies.
Claudia Thompson, who leads the Population Health Branch at NIEHS, outlined that these six research teams will make diligent efforts to document the exposures and collect relevant health data over the next two years. This invaluable work is anticipated to be conducted in active collaboration with the affected community.
During a heartfelt visit to East Palestine on February 3, marking the two-year anniversary of the shocking derailment, Vice President Vance pledged his commitment to the community. He affirmed unequivocally that they will not be forgotten, not be deserted, and committed continuous support over time.
On the heels of his commemorative visit, a group of bipartisan U.S. House members reintroduced legislative proposals on February 7 seeking approval for funding over the upcoming five years from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The HHS has jurisdiction over the NIH and this funding is intended to support ongoing research into the enduring health effects due to the train derailment incident.
Joyce assured his intention to continue efforts to enact his proposed legislation and corroborate related programs that focus on the long-term restoration efforts in the region. The East Palestine Health Impact Monitoring Act under discussion would mandate the HHS Secretary to assign a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement to an alliance of higher education institutions. This is devised to carry out a comprehensive study on the health impacts following the tragic derailment and subsequent controlled explosion of dangerous chemicals in East Palestine.
Once the proposal is executed, HHS has the obligation to submit a thematic report to congressional committees, concurrently preparing a progress report on the status of ongoing research. The progress update should be furnished to the committees two years following the implementation of the proposal. The legislative proposition was sent to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for further scrutiny on February 7.
On March 23, 2024, Joyce introduced the same piece of legislation. The bill found its path to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Health. Meanwhile, a companion bill was tabled in the Senate but a vote is pending in the upper house.
At the behest of Vice President Vance, the HHS has prompted the NIH to initiate a research project lasting five years with an investment of $10 million. This came to light through a public announcment. In encourage the move, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gave a rousing commendation to Vance for instigating ‘the first coordinated, multi-year federal study dedicated to the long-term health effects of the East Palestine disaster.’
On the fateful day of February 3, 2023, some 50 cars of a Norfolk Southern train, out of which 10 were carrying hazardous material, derailed in East Palestine. Among these cars, five that contained vinyl chloride underwent a controlled explosion three days later. The unfortunate incident saw the dispersal of the hazardous chemical in the atmosphere.
The tragic derailment and subsequent explosion led to the evacuation of thousands of East Palestine’s inhabitants along with those from neighboring communities. The exposure to toxic chemicals in the environment has given rise to health concerns among many residents who reported symptoms such as headaches, respiratory issues, and skin and eye irritations.
Specialized Professional Services Inc. and Specialized Response Solutions, both contractors of Norfolk Southern at the time, recommended the controlled explosion. According to them, not carrying out the controlled detonation could have resulted in an uncontrolled explosion, which could have scattered toxic chemicals and shrapnel over a much larger area.
During a Senate Commerce Committee hearing on March 6, 2024, Vance questioned the decision regarding the controlled explosion. He directed his inquiries to Jennifer Homendy, chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board. She responded that the contractors who advised such an action did not possess the scientific understanding to validate that decision.
Norfolk Southern is steadfast in denying allegations that the controlled detonation was unnecessary. The forthcoming NIH studies are designed to better understand the immediate and long-term health outcomes of the exposed individuals, closely track the health conditions of the public, and devise preventative measures.
The definitive deadline for submitting research proposals stands on July 21, with several projects poised to kick-off in the autumn. The Governor of Ohio, Mike DeWine, optimistically noted that the funding will provide assurance to the East Palestine community, knowing that potential long-term health impacts are being thoroughly researched by scientists at the National Institutes of Health.
The post NIH Awards $10 Million for East Palestine Derailment Health Study appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
