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Cause of East Palestine rashes not yet known

EAST PALESTINE — A growing number of village residents here have reported unusual rashes, with some seeking medical attention for the skin condition in recent days, but health officials aren’t clear on whether they are connected to the Feb. 3 train derailment and subsequent toxic chemical release.

John Bosley Jr. and his girlfriend reside with their five children about three blocks from the derailment site. Tuesday, Bosley said the second youngest child, who is age 10, developed a rash.

“I can’t say if there’s a link to this, but I don’t know what else it would have come from,” Bosley said.

He’s not alone.

Dr. Elena Rossi, medical director of Akron Children’s Hospital-Mahoning Valley, said the concern is understandable, but even medical providers aren’t sure if there is a link because there is no test to find a connection.

“We have seen a handful of cases of rashes in our pediatric offices in the region. But unfortunately, at this time, a blood test to determine the presence of chemicals released due to the derailment does not exist, so we are unable to make definitive link between symptoms and the chemicals released,” Rossi said Friday.

Greg and Traci Mascher, who attended Wednesday’s community gathering in the school gymnasium, said that two of their three granddaughters, who live with them, also are experiencing rashes since the derailment.

The Maschers were not initially evacuated but were told to leave Feb. 5 when the rail cars carrying vinyl chloride became unstable.

As of Wednesday, the Maschers said they still had not sent their granddaughters back to school.

Meanwhile, Bosley pointed out that many other cases of rashes and red skin, particularly among children, were being shared on locally based Facebook groups.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TESTING

In response to rising health concerns and reports of developing symptoms, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday they were deploying a team of medical personnel and toxicologists to conduct public health testing and assessments in East Palestine.

“We know that the science says that East Palestine is safe, but we also know that residents are very worried,” DeWine said. “They are asking themselves, ‘Is my headache just a headache? Or is it a result of the chemical spill? Are other medical symptoms caused by the spill?’ Those are very legitimate questions and residents deserve answers.”

A team as to be on the ground today, including a medical toxicologist and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Region 5 lead, to support EPA and state health department efforts. ATSDR protects communities from harmful health effects related to exposure to natural and man-made hazardous substances.

The agency will send a team to interview people in the derailment area and conduct an Assessment of Chemical Exposure investigation within the coming days. A White House administration official said these investigations are rapid, epidemiological assessments done to determine health impacts of chemicals that have been released on communities and individuals.

The official noted an ACE investigation was done in New Jersey in 2012 after 20,000 gallons of vinyl chloride were released in a train derailment. The last time an ACE assessment was done in the United States was after the Red Hill oil spill in Hawaii last year.

HHS teams will begin seeing patients early next week. The location of the clinic and its hours have not yet been announced.

MONITORING SITUATION

Kara Frantz, public information officer for Mercy Health, stated that health system’s facilities continue to closely monitor the evolving situation in East Palestine, engaging with the Columbiana County Health District and Ohio Emergency Management Agency, among other local, state and federal agencies.

“We stand ready to assist those in need, and encourage residents to seek medical attention or contact their primary care physician should they experience respiratory distress or other symptoms,” she said.

Mercy Health — East Palestine Primary Care and Mercy Health — Columbiana Primary Care are open and seeing patients, a news release states.

Mercy Health also operates eight walk-in care locations across the Mahoning Valley, including another Columbiana County location at 107 Royal Birkdale Drive in Columbiana village, where patients concerned about exposure or those exhibiting symptoms can be seen, according to the statement by Mercy Health. It adds patients in need of emergency treatment should call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room at either Salem Regional Medical Center or St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital.

Laura Fauss, public information officer for the Columbiana County Health District, said Thursday her office is focused on the groundwater sampling program for private water wells in the affected area.

“Any residents with health-related concerns have been referred to the toxicologist assigned to the incident or to their primary care providers. At this time, this is all the information I have about this,” Fauss said.

In addition to physical health concerns, government agencies are also working to address mental health concerns caused or exacerbated by the derailment. The Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services is supporting the Columbiana County Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board to ensure that residents know what resources are available.

The Ohio Careline, 1-800-720-9616, is also open 24 hours daily and staffed with trained mental health professionals. All calls are free and confidential. They can also connect residents with local resources if follow-up care is needed.

Allie Vugrincic and Brenda J. Linert from The Vindicator contributed to this story.

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