Trump to investigate long-term health effects of Ohio train derailment
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Trump administration launches $10M health study for East Palestine residents after toxic spill
The Trump administration is putting up $10 million toward a five-year initiative. The initiative will study the long-term health consequences for local residents in East Palestine, Ohio, after a train derailed and spilled its contents. Vice President JD Vance: “I’m proud that we finally have a new president that takes the concerns of everyday, working-class people seriously” In April 2024, Norfolk Southern, the company operating the train that spilled chemicals in Northeastern Ohio, shelled out $600 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of East Palestine residents. In February 2023, residents began expressing fear after reporting headaches, respiratory illnesses and skin and eye irritation after a toxic spill in the town of 4,000.
The Trump administration is putting up $10 million toward a five-year initiative that will, among other things, utilize “longitudinal epidemiological research” to better understand the short- and long-term health effects of exposure to hazardous chemicals, including vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylene glycol and benzene residue.
The initiative will also utilize public health tracking and surveillance and newly established communication channels between researchers, public officials and community stakeholders to support the initiative and develop solutions.
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“There was a terrible train crash, and then there was a controlled burn of toxic chemicals that went into the atmosphere,” Vance said in a video announcement posted to social media, alongside HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya.
“What happened then is that people got very worried. I’ve been to East Palestine a number of times, and they’re very worried about what are the long-term impacts of these chemicals in the water, in the air. What effect does it have on their kids and grandkids after five years, 10 years, 15 years of exposure?”
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Vance pointed the finger at the former Biden administration, claiming it “refused to do anything” to study the long-term health effects of the train crash for the residents of East Palestine.
Last month, communications uncovered through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request allegedly showed the Biden administration was aware of the serious health risks posed by the toxic spill despite reassuring the public there was no evidence of significant chemical contamination.
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Former President Joe Biden has been lambasted by critics for not doing enough to ensure there were no lasting health effects for the residents of East Palestine, Ohio, after the small town faced a toxic train derailment in February 2023.
“These documents confirm what East Palestine residents have feared: Government officials knew about the serious health risks posed by the derailment and controlled burn but deliberately kept this information from the community,” said Lesley Pacey, senior environmental officer at the Government Accountability Project, which helped uncover the communications.
After the toxic spill in February 2023, residents began expressing fear after reporting headaches, respiratory illnesses and skin and eye irritation.
In April 2024, Norfolk Southern, the company operating the train that spilled chemicals in Northeastern Ohio, shelled out $600 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of East Palestine residents.
President Joe Biden tours the East Palestine Recovery Site Feb. 16, 2024, in East Palestine, Ohio.
“As a senator, it was incredibly frustrating watching the Biden administration refuse to examine the potentially dangerous health impacts on the people of East Palestine following the train derailment,” Vance added. “I’m proud that we finally have a new president that takes the concerns of everyday, working-class people seriously.”
According to Bhattacharya, research for the initiative is expected to begin this fall.
Original article source: Trump administration launches $10M health study for East Palestine residents after toxic spill
Trump Administration to allocate $10 million to investigate effects of East Palestine train crash
The project will allocate up to $10 million over five years to assess the health impact on residents exposed to toxic substances released during the accident. Assessments will include both immediate and long-term effects, with special attention to maternal, child, respiratory and psychological health. Among the most common effects are headaches, eye irritation, skin problems and respiratory difficulties.
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.
Trump Admin Seeks Answers On Long-Term Risks Of East Palestine Train Derailment
The Trump administration will study the long-term effects on people of chemicals released after the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. Vice President JD Vance, who is from Ohio, joined Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Battacharya to announce the new initiative in a video posted to social media. The East Palestine spill was a calamity for the roughly 5,000- strong community and exploded into national news. The accident inspired rancor against the Biden administration and then-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Former President Joe Biden notably stayed away from East Palestine until the one-year anniversary of the disaster.
Vice President JD Vance, who is from Ohio, joined Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Battacharya to announce the new initiative in a video posted to social media.
“I’ve been to East Palestine a number of times, and they’re very worried about, what are the long-term impacts of these chemicals in the water, in the air? What effect does it have on their kids and grandkids after 5 years, 10 years, 15 years of exposure?” said Vance.
“The crazy thing is, number one, we didn’t have a good answer to that question. Science had never actually tried to understand what the long-term exposure of these trace chemicals would do to people,” he continued. “And the second crazy thing is that as much as I tried as a United States senator to work with the Biden administration, they refused to do anything to actually study the effects of these long-term exposures on the people of East Palestine.”
After a Norfolk Southern train carrying toxic chemicals derailed and dumped its cargo, residents, officials, and investigators who resided or worked close to the spill reported having symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness. A controlled burn of the spill sent plumes of black smoke into the air, causing further concerns of what the smoke could do to nearby residents.
“The National Institutes of Health under my direction has launched a 5-year, $10 million research initiative to address health outcomes stemming from this calamity. This is the first large-scale, coordinated, multi-year federal study focused specifically on the long-term health impacts of the East Palestine disaster,” Kennedy said.
Bhattacharya added: “The purpose and goal of the NIH, the mission is to advance the health and well-being of the American people, and this is a concrete way that we’re going to do that. The NIH is working to ensure that the people of East Palestine and the surrounding communities are listened to, cared for, and they get the answers they deserve.”
I’m proud to announce with @SecKennedy and @NIHDirector_Jay that the Trump Administration is launching a program to study long-term health effects of the chemical spill in East Palestine, OH and help residents access the care they need. East Palestine, we will never forget you. pic.twitter.com/zjJOnXZgoc — JD Vance (@JDVance) June 19, 2025
The East Palestine spill was a calamity for the roughly 5,000- strong community and exploded into national news. The accident inspired rancor against the Biden administration and then-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Former President Joe Biden notably stayed away from East Palestine until the one-year anniversary of the disaster.
President Donald Trump, who was campaigning for president at the time, visited East Palestine within weeks of the disaster, bringing supplies to the reeling community.
Trump administration launches $10M health study for East Palestine residents after toxic spill
The Trump administration is putting up $10 million toward a five-year initiative. The initiative will study the long-term health consequences for local residents in East Palestine, Ohio, after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed and spilled its contents. Residents began expressing fear after reporting headaches, respiratory illnesses and skin and eye irritation. In April 2024, Norfolk Southern, the company operating the train that spilled chemicals in Northeastern Ohio, shelled out $600 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of East Palestine residents. Last month, communications uncovered through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request allegedly showed the Biden administration was aware of the serious health risks posed by the toxic spill.
At the urging of Vice President JD Vance, the Trump administration is launching a new initiative to study the long-term health consequences for local residents in East Palestine, Ohio, after a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed and spilled its contents.
The Trump administration is putting up $10 million toward a five-year initiative that will, among other things, utilize “longitudinal epidemiological research” to better understand the short- and long-term health effects of exposure to hazardous chemicals, including vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylene glycol and benzene residue.
The initiative will also utilize public health tracking and surveillance and newly established communication channels between researchers, public officials and community stakeholders to support the initiative and develop solutions.
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“There was a terrible train crash, and then there was a controlled burn of toxic chemicals that went into the atmosphere,” Vance said in a video announcement posted to social media, alongside HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and National Institutes of Health Director Jay Bhattacharya.
“What happened then is that people got very worried. I’ve been to East Palestine a number of times, and they’re very worried about what are the long-term impacts of these chemicals in the water, in the air. What effect does it have on their kids and grandkids after five years, 10 years, 15 years of exposure?”
Vance pointed the finger at the former Biden administration, claiming it “refused to do anything” to study the long-term health effects of the train crash for the residents of East Palestine.
Last month, communications uncovered through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request allegedly showed the Biden administration was aware of the serious health risks posed by the toxic spill despite reassuring the public there was no evidence of significant chemical contamination.
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“These documents confirm what East Palestine residents have feared: Government officials knew about the serious health risks posed by the derailment and controlled burn but deliberately kept this information from the community,” said Lesley Pacey, senior environmental officer at the Government Accountability Project, which helped uncover the communications.
After the toxic spill in February 2023, residents began expressing fear after reporting headaches, respiratory illnesses and skin and eye irritation.
In April 2024, Norfolk Southern, the company operating the train that spilled chemicals in Northeastern Ohio, shelled out $600 million to settle a class-action lawsuit filed on behalf of East Palestine residents.
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“As a senator, it was incredibly frustrating watching the Biden administration refuse to examine the potentially dangerous health impacts on the people of East Palestine following the train derailment,” Vance added. “I’m proud that we finally have a new president that takes the concerns of everyday, working-class people seriously.”
According to Bhattacharya, research for the initiative is expected to begin this fall.
JD Vance announces $10M study into East Palestine train derailment fallout
The 2023 derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train released toxic chemicals into the air, water, and soil of East Palestine, Ohio. Vice President JD Vance announced a $10 million, five-year research program led by the National Institutes of Health. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya noted the program’s community-led nature. The NIH will accept research proposals through July 21, with studies expected to begin this fall.“This is the first large-scale, coordinated, multi-year federal study focused specifically on the long-term impacts of the East Palestinian disaster,” Kennedy said, describing the NIH-led initiative as a critical step toward understanding and addressing the health fallout of the derailment. The program will involve robust community engagement alongside public health monitoring.
The derailment of a Norfolk Southern freight train in February 2023 released toxic chemicals into the air, water, and soil of the small Ohio town — raising health concerns that have gone unanswered for more than two years.
CatholicVote previously reported on Vance’s visit to the town earlier this year, where he marked the second anniversary of the derailment by assuring residents, “This community will not be forgotten.”
In a June 19 X post announcing the new investigative initiative, Vance reflected on his past visits to East Palestine and the community’s ongoing fears about long-term health effects.
“They’re very worried about what are the long-term impacts of these chemicals in the water, in the air,” he said. “What effect does it have on their kids and grandkids after 5 years, 10 years, 15 years of exposure?”
I’m proud to announce with @SecKennedy and @NIHDirector_Jay that the Trump Administration is launching a program to study long-term health effects of the chemical spill in East Palestine, OH and help residents access the care they need.
East Palestine, we will never forget you. pic.twitter.com/zjJOnXZgoc — JD Vance (@JDVance) June 19, 2025
Despite efforts to collaborate with the previous administration, the vice president said, “They refused to do anything to actually study the effects of these long-term exposures.”
Joined by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director Jay Bhattacharya, Vance outlined plans for a $10 million, five-year research program led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
“We’re finally going to study the effects on these chemicals and finally get to the bottom of what effect this terrible train crash and the ensuing consequences had on the people of East Palestine,” Vance said.
He credited the current administration and new health leadership with taking steps to launch the long-awaited study.
In the announcement, Kennedy emphasized the urgency of the effort, noting that many Americans have “already forgotten” about the disaster, even as East Palestine residents continue to face uncertainty.
He described how symptoms like headaches, respiratory issues, and skin and eye irritation began appearing almost immediately after the derailment, raising serious concerns about long-term impacts — particularly for maternal and child health.
“This is the first large-scale, coordinated, multi-year federal study focused specifically on the long-term impacts of the East Palestinian disaster,” Kennedy said, describing the NIH-led initiative as a critical step toward understanding and addressing the health fallout.
According to Kennedy, the program will involve robust community engagement alongside public health monitoring, including tracking and surveillance of local health conditions to inform medical decisions and preventive care.
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya noted the program’s community-led nature.
“The purpose and goal of the mission is to advance the East Palestinian people,” he said.
He stressed the importance of coordinated communication between researchers, local health departments, clinicians, and residents, saying the initiative aims to ensure they are “listened to, cared for, and they get the answers they deserve.”
The NIH will accept research proposals through July 21, with studies expected to begin this fall.
“No one has tried to do this in this particular way,” Vance said, expressing hope that the research could benefit not only East Palestine but millions of Americans exposed to industrial chemicals nationwide.