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Trump Administration to allocate $10 million to investigate effects of East Palestine train crash

The project, which will begin in the fall, will assess the health impact on residents exposed to toxic substances released during the train derailment.

Norfolk Southern train that derailed in East Palestine.

Norfolk Southern train that derailed in East Palestine.AP / Cordon Press

Sabrina Martin
Published by
Sabrina Martin

The Trump administration announced this week the start of a new federal initiative to investigate the public health consequences of the freight train derailment that in 2023 released hazardous chemicals in East Palestine, Ohio. The project, which will begin in the fall, will allocate up to $10 million over five years to assess the health impact on residents exposed to toxic substances released during the accident.

The plan will be implemented by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which will fund between one and three investigations focused on communities affected by the release of compounds such as vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate and other industrial chemicals. Assessments will include both immediate and long-term effects, with special attention to maternal, child, respiratory and psychological health.

A step towards permanent health monitoring

Through an open call for proposals, the government is seeking research proposals that will allow a rigorous follow-up of the symptoms reported by the population since the accident. Among the most common effects are headaches, eye irritation, skin problems and respiratory difficulties. The NIH aims to establish whether these symptoms could subsequently lead to chronic diseases or other more serious health problems.

The studies should also incorporate community surveillance and response mechanisms for potential similar emergencies in the future.

An accident under scrutiny

The disaster occurred on February 3, 2023, when a train operated by Norfolk Southern derailed in the town of East Palestine, releasing a number of hazardous chemicals. Days later, state officials, including Ohio's Republican Governor Mike DeWine and Pennsylvania's Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, authorized a controlled burn operation of five tank cars, with the goal of preventing a major explosion.

That decision led to the massive release of vinyl chloride, a recognized carcinogen because of its high flammability, sparking strong community concern and criticism of the handling of the incident. More than one million pounds of the substance were dispersed into the air, according to official estimates.
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