Scientists begin taking biological survey samples from residents in East Palestine
A team of researchers led by University of Kentucky College of Public Health environmental scientist Erin Haynes has traveled to East Palestine to collect biological samples further to understand the train derailment’s health effects.
The East Palestine Train Derailment Health Tracking Survey was launched this spring, inviting all residents 18 and over to share their experiences and health symptoms during the evacuation and any concerns about exposure and health symptoms, including stress.
“It’s important that we characterize the health symptoms and exposure concerns from residents in East Palestine and in the surrounding area,” Haynes said. “We do not know exactly how far the chemicals have spread, so we want to include all surrounding counties in this survey.”
Who can participate?
Everyone who filled out the survey was invited to participate in the health study to track participants’ health over a long time.
This first study is limited to only 20 participants.
Study participants must be age 18 or older and live in Columbiana County or a surrounding area, including Mahoning, Stark, Carroll, and Jefferson counties in Ohio, as well as Beaver and Lawrence in Pennsylvania and Hancock, West Virginia.
What will participants be asked to do?
Participants enrolled in the East Palestine Train Derailment Health Tracking Study online survey have two research opportunities: participate in a biological collection or wear a noninvasive wristband.
For the biological collection, a registered nurse collects three tablespoons of blood and a urine sample to detect any chemicals lingering from the derailment in the body.
Participants can also choose to wear a wristband made of silicone for seven days as part of the second research option.
The harmless wristband absorbs chemicals from the environment as you go about your day.
What will be analyzed in each sample?
Blood and urine samples will undergo dioxin analysis, checking for harmful chemicals like vinyl chloride.
Samples will be sent to unbiased laboratories at the CDC, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, and Wayne State University in Detroit for testing.
The wristbands are from the Human Health Exposure Analysis Resource.
Dr. Heather Stapleton’s laboratory will analyze them for PAHs and chlorinated dioxins at Duke University.
For more information, visit University of Kentucky’s website.
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