Trump team launches study into harms from East Palestine train wreck
Late in the evening on Feb. 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern train of 53 cars derailed in East Palestine, Ohio.
The resulting crash caused much of the train to burn, but what has been controversial ever since was the decision to do a controlled burn of the nearly 116,000 gallons of vinyl chloride that the train was carrying.
The result released hydrogen chloride and phosgene gases in the air of the small community.
Ever since, residents have noted headaches, respiratory issues, skin irritations and even eye irritations.
Now the federal government is going to study, in detail, the health impact of that disaster during Joe Biden’s presidency.
JD Vance and HHS Secretary Kennedy announce a new program to examine the Biden admin’s East Palestine, OH disaster: “This is the first large scale coordinated multi-year federal study focused on the long-term health impacts of the East Palestine disaster.” pic.twitter.com/deWYMduT1o
— TheBlaze (@theblaze) June 19, 2025
“The announcement today of the funding for long-term health studies for the people of East Palestine is great news for the community,” Gov. Mike DeWine said. “This funding will enable the people of East Palestine to have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that any potential for long-term health effects will be studied by the scientists at the National Institutes of Health.”
Jennifer Homendyj, of the National Transportation and Safety Board, charged a year ago that the vent and burn after the crash was not needed, and even the crash itself could have been avoided.
The federal agency concluded the disaster that forced the evacuation of several thousand residents was caused by a wheel bearing that caught fire and broke an axle.
A report at the Center Square said the $10 million will be for a five-year study on the health impact of the derailment.
“The money and the study came at the urging of Vice President J.D. Vance, who worked with former U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown on train safety and other East Palestine legislation in the months and years following the derailment and subsequent toxic chemical release,” the report said.
Vance noted, “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. I’m proud that we finally have a new president that takes the concerns of everyday, working-class people seriously. This historic research initiative will finally result in answers that this community deserves.”
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. said the National Institutes of Health will conduct the study. And he thanked Vance for his work on the issue.