NIH launches new derailment study in response to East Palestine health concerns
EAST PALESTINE, Ohio - On Thursday, the National Institutes of Health laid out details of a new public health study that, they say, is needed in East Palestine.
The groups along with specialized environmental researchers created a survey for people in and around the surrounding area while also hearing lasting concerns Thursday evening.
As pleas for help continue to come from the East Palestine community, the National Institutes of Health and environmental researchers to create a new post-derailment study.
An already created survey consists of urine and blood sampling along with test subjects wearing wristbands that absorb airborne chemicals for testing.
"You haven't seen this work yet and maybe not have heard about it, explained Erin Haynes, Kurt W. Deuschle Professor of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, Chair of the Department of Epidemiology and Environmental Health with the University of Kentucky, "But I want you to know there are many scientists across the U.S. that deeply care."
Haynes ensures testing offers dioxin results, but chemicals including vinyl chloride could be tricky to find still in someone's system.
The study comes as over 48 thousand tons of solid waste and over 18 million gallons of liquid waste have been removed from the derailment site.
Questions revolved around lasting health effects, chemical poisoning, and DNA testing, along with the efficiency of the EPA's testing.
"My family has sore throats, headaches, eye problems, blurry eyes, you name it, we had it," one woman said who lives more than 3 miles away from the derailment site.
Misti Allison wants to be a part of the study to get prompt answers for her and her family, not to be a test subject.
"We want to make sure we're getting our own individual test results and we're getting it in a quick way so we can get the best health choices for our family," Allison said.
Haynes ensured those who joint eh survey will get results back in a timely manner.
Government entities and environmental experts looking to the people for insight as the new study is drafted.
Other questions asked include if lasting health affects are found, cant it be treated to prevent larger issues at this point.
The survey is part of a two part series, next week representatives from the CDC will also be in East Palestine.
