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EAST PALESTINE -- When a Norfolk Southern train derailed and led to a chemical spill and intentional release and burn of vinyl chloride over East Palestine Feb. 3, nobody was sure what health implications the exposure to the toxins would cause. To address the unknowns, a long-term monitoring program was demanded by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and promised by Norfolk Southern.
With the derailment now 11 months in the past, residents impacted by the rail disaster are still waiting for such a program.
"We don't even have a short-term plan," East Palestine resident Jessica Conard said. "We have no centralized place to even report symptoms and many area physicians have robustly rejected any notion of our symptoms being derailment or burn-off related."
Since the rail disaster some residents in East Palestine and the surrounding communities have reported persistent nosebleeds, eye and skin irritation, respiratory ailments and digestive issues among other symptoms. Conard said her 4-year-old son developed asthma following the derailment and that his medication is getting harder to get.
"In speaking with the pharmacist, they cannot meet the growing need for asthma inhalers," Conard said.
While Norfolk Southern is yet to announce a program to track health concerns possibly connected to the derailment, others have, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Health (NIH) and various institutes of higher learning.
The CDC collected data in the days and weeks following the rail disaster by requesting residents fill out an Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey. When the preliminary results of the 704 ACE surveys were released in March, it was reported that 76 percent of East Palestine residents participating in the health assessment experienced headaches while 54 percent experienced coughing, 52 percent experienced fatigue and 50 percent experienced a rash or irritation of the skin. In addition, 62 percent reported anxiety. It was later confirmed by the CDC that seven of the agency's investigators who were in the village to help conduct the surveys experienced similar symptoms.
The NIH held "a rapid workshop" in November to better understand the health impact of the rail disaster. The workshop was held in partnership with the Academy of Engineering and National Academy of Medicine, which provides expert advice to the U.S. government on issues of science, health and engineering. The National Academies workshop is expected this month.
University of Kentucky College of Public Health environmental scientist Erin Haynes is also tracking the health impacts of the derailment. That study began with a survey open to anyone 18 or older in Columbiana, Mahoning, Stark, Carroll, Jefferson, Beaver, Lawrence and Hancock counties. Questions about experiences during the evacuation, concerns about exposures and symptoms and derailment-related stress were included. Haynes also brought a team to East Palestine to collect biological samples from residents and provide residents with wristbands that measure air quality in the surrounding environments.
A virtual "Research Review Roundtable" was held Oct. 16 to discuss the derailment and potential health hazards associated with it. The panel featured Nancy O. Alderman (President of Environment and Human Health), Haynes (University of Kentucky College of Public Health), Dr. Beatrice Golomb (Professor of Medicine at the University of California), Dr. Andrew Whelton (Purdue University professor of civil, environmental, and ecological engineering), Kristen Malecki (National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine), Dr. Lauren Spearing (University of Illinois), Frederick Schumacher (Case Western University), Stephen Lester (Science Director of the Center for Health, Environment and Justice) and former Federal EPA administrator Judith Enck.
Golomb, who is best known for her research work with veterans exposed to toxins during Desert Storm and Desert Shield , launched the East Palestine Health Effects Study in the months following the derailment. That study seeks to identify and test for blood Markers in residents of East Palestine and others exposed to the smoke plume created by the intentional burn.
As for any local or state studies, no health assessment or long-term medical monitoring plans have been announced at those levels. The Ohio Department of Health did partner with East Liverpool Hospital to fast track the opening of the East Palestine Health Clinic in April.
As for mental health support, the East Palestine Resiliency Center -- a wellness program to provide mental health and recovery services to those affected by the train derailment -- will soon open in Unity Township. Columbiana County Mental Health and Recovery Services Board Executive Director Marcy Patton announced plans for the center during a June East Palestine Village council meeting. Ultimately the services offered at the center will be determined by the needs and wants of the community and will include support and mental care for first responders including peer support and compassion fatigue management. The center was made possible by a Norfolk Southern contribution and a $879,509 emergency response grant available to assist East Palestine through the OMHAS.
Conard said the same focus needs to be put on physical health in the wake of the rail disaster and reiterated her call for a Presidential Disaster Declaration from President Joe Biden that DeWine requested five months ago.
"East Palestine needs the emergency declaration," she said. "We need federal resources. Clearly the polluters have no interest in our health or wellbeing."
Norfolk Southern did not return a request for comment at press time.
selverd@mojonews.com