Watchdog group claims documents show FEMA aware of East Palestine health risks

A watchdog group claims new documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request suggest the Federal Emergency Management Agency was aware of potential health risks, including the possibility of cancer clusters and the need for at least 20 years of medical monitoring, following the February 2023 Norfolk Southern train derailment and vent-and-burn in East Palestine, Ohio. The Government Accountability Project, which obtained the documents, alleges that FEMA was aware of these concerns.

According to the Government Accountability Project, the newly obtained documents align with whistleblower disclosures over the past two years regarding health impacts in the community. The organization states that FEMA initially refused their FOIA request, which led to a lawsuit against FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security.

The Government Accountability Project alleges the released materials indicate FEMA acknowledged health concerns frequently voiced by East Palestine residents. One agency document noted, "The occurrence of a cancer-cluster in [East Palestine] is not zero," and indicated a need for a "tripwire to identify cancer clusters," the group stated.

Internal communications from 2023 show a FEMA-appointed Federal Coordinator, tasked with assessing community needs, was advised against direct engagement with affected residents, according to the Government Accountability Project. An email from the Federal Coordinator stated, "I have been advised best not to engage with the public…" and "the State does not want [the Federal Coordinator] to participate in the November 3 community meeting…", the group reported.

On September 24, 2024, whistleblowers Dr. George Thompson and Stephen Petty disclosed concerns about the community's health. In his disclosure, Dr. Thompson criticized the federal government for declaring the area safe prematurely and advocated for extensive monitoring, citing the threat of cancer clusters. Mr. Petty agreed with Dr. Thompson's assessment, stating that claims of "no long-term health impacts" were premature due to a lack of completed health assessments in East Palestine.

Lesley Pacey, Senior Environmental Officer at the Government Accountability Project, stated, "These documents indicate government officials knew about serious health risks posed by the derailment and controlled burn. They also show that while federal officials were acknowledging a 'really toxic plume' and discussing future cancer clusters internally, they were simultaneously avoiding direct communication with affected residents."

The Government Accountability Project claims that East Palestine residents have reported health issues since the incident and that the documents suggest FEMA was aware of chemical exposure risks.

211 News has reached out to FEMA and are waiting for a response.

The Government Accountability Project describes itself as an international whistleblower protection organization. It states its mission is to promote government, corporate, and international organization accountability through litigation, publicizing concerns, and developing legal reforms.