There are two health studies at Pitt related to the train derailment in East Palestine, OH in February of 2023. One project looks at exposures of people living near the derailment and their environment (outdoor air, indoor air and drinking water), and the second looks at the impact of all chemicals on the health of the residents.
Study Number 1
Principal Investigators: Juliane I. Beier, PhD & Maureen Y. Lichtveld, MD, MPH
Project Title: East Palestine Community-Engaged Environmental Exposure, Health Data, and Biospecimen Bank
Project Number: 1R21ES036032-01
Overview
On February 3, 2023, a train carrying vinyl chloride (VC) and other chemicals derailed in East Palestine, OH. VC leaked into the air, soil, surface water, and groundwater, potentially impacting indoor air and drinking water. Although this is a chemical mixture-based spill, the major chemical of concern is VC; however, recent community concerns include VC and other chemicals. Community members are worried that East Palestine is unsafe to live in. Community residents continue to report the presence of chemical odors, and a variety of other negative effects.
Purpose
We will collect information about the residents' health and blood samples to find out the immediate and long-term impacts from the disaster.
Aims
- Embed a community-engaged approach to address environmental and health concerns - Through all stages of the study, we will include citizen science strategies to engage community members in all parts of the study including collecting environmental samples.
- Characterize environmental presence and distribution of VC and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances - Outdoors: surface water and soil samples in impacted areas. Residential sampling: air and well water samples.
- Collect baseline biomarker- and psychosocial data - We will collect blood samples from people with contaminated indoor air in their homes to find out potential damage to their liver from VC.
More program information is here
If interested in participating, please click here.
Study Number 2
Principal Investigator: Peng Gao, PhD
Project Title: Profiling the Post-accident Exposome in East Palestine
Grant Number: 1R21ES03603
Overview
On February 3rd, 2023, a train carrying several chemicals, including vinyl chloride (VC), butyl acrylate, plastics, fuel oils derailed near the town of East Palestine, Ohio. Fish kills through small waterways into the Ohio River reflected the potential human health risks caused by the accident. We will look at the impact on residents, local crops and livestock over time.
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to determine the health risks from all the chemicals released by the derailment to the residents.
Aims
- Collect water and soil samples
- Evaluate how exposure to these chemicals over time pose a risk to the residents in East Palestine