February marked three years since East Palestine train derailment; new health study announced

February 3 marked three years since a train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio. Since then, residents have been searching for answers to ongoing health concerns that many believe have been overlooked by health officials.

On the anniversary of the derailment, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held at The Way Station to officially open the new East Palestine Train Derailment Health Research Program.

The office will serve as the center for enrollment, research coordination, community meetings and ongoing engagement between scientists and the people most affected by the disaster.

The program is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) in partnership with the University of Kentucky, University of Pittsburgh and Yale University.

The East Palestine Health Research Program is designed to "track potential health effects associated with chemical exposure from the derailment, including respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and cancer-related outcomes," according to a press release from the University of Kentucky. The studies will follow residents over time and create "one of the most comprehensive community-based environmental health investigations ever conducted following a rail disaster," the website reads. 

On Feb. 2, the research program held a community event at the East Palestine High School. The event included information about the study, a time for questions from community members and a short film by RiverWise, who is creating a feature-length documentary to capture the ongoing stories of residents impacted by the derailment.

To see what RiverWise has created to date, visit their East Palestine storytelling website here. To learn more about the study, and to participate, click here.