WASHINGTON - The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) has announced a new research effort to study the long-term health effects of the train derailment that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023.

The program aims to address both immediate and future health concerns resulting from chemical exposures linked to the accident. NIEHS plans to provide up to $10 million over five years, from fiscal year 2025 to 2030, to fund one to three research projects.

The research will be funded through "Other Transactions Authority," a flexible approach NIEHS considers important for a public health situation that may change over time. This flexibility will allow researchers to adjust their studies as new information emerges or as community needs evolve.

The program is expected to last about five years and will involve several phases. A primary goal is to connect health research with the needs of local public health departments and medical care, focusing on the long-term effects of chemical exposures. A key component of the initiative is a "community-driven" approach, meaning East Palestine residents will help guide the research.

The new research program has several goals to address health concerns in East Palestine and the surrounding areas. Researchers will assess health needs by collaborating with organizations and individuals already connected to the East Palestine community. They will also launch a long-term study to examine health outcomes and risks from the derailment, tracking participants over time and carefully considering how to collect information without burdening them.

The study will use methods to measure chemical exposures, such as taking environmental or biological samples. It will investigate various health issues, including reproductive, mental, cancer, immune system, nervous system, breathing, and heart problems.

The program will also provide training and education, which includes sharing test results and other findings directly with community members and local healthcare providers. Additionally, it aims to create a secure health tracking system that will utilize health records (with participant permission) and research data. The system intends to identify health conditions linked to the derailment and help inform healthcare decisions and public health actions.

To be eligible for the research opportunity, organizations must demonstrate a history of working with the East Palestine community since the derailment. This includes proven experience in environmental health, disaster research, establishing health tracking systems, secure data management, and strategies for enrolling and retaining participants in post-disaster studies.

The research will focus on individuals living in East Palestine and other residential areas within a 50-mile radius of the derailment site. The requirement for applicants to have existing relationships and trust with the community aims to ensure the research is ethical, effective, and relevant to local needs.

NIEHS plans to involve community members throughout all research activities, ensuring studies prioritize needs identified by residents. Special consideration will be given to more vulnerable populations, such as children, older adults, women of childbearing age, workers, and individuals with ongoing health issues. The program also highlights ethical practices like mutual respect, trust, and transparency.