Tens of thousands of residents affected by a toxic train derailment in eastern Palestine will be offered free health checks amid fears of a looming public health crisis.
Their vital signs will be taken and they will be medically examined by a doctor for acute health problems. Mental health specialists and a toxicologist will also be available for consultation.
The new clinic was opened by OhioDepartment of Health (ODH) at a church in eastern Palestine after trains carrying chemicals derailed in an accident three weeks ago, leaving behind an explosion of toxic plumes.
Biden’s transportation secretary has come under heavy criticism for failing to visit the crash site 19 days after the incident occurred. Donald Trump became the first high-profile politician to visit today, where he delivered supplies and spoke to locals.
The chemicals on board the train were vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, benzene residue, glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate, and isobutylene.
Tens of thousands of residents affected by a toxic train derailment in eastern Palestine will be offered free health checks amid fears of a looming public health crisis.
The clinic, which opened yesterday, is complete until friday. Initially it was only open to residents of East Palestine.
But the local health department announced today that it is expanding its free check to about 22,000 people who live in Unity Township in Ohio and neighboring Beaver County, Pennsylvania.
Residents have been reporting a wave of illnesses despite environmental officials ruling that no health hazards were detected in the city’s water or air. Some reported burning eyes, loose stools and headaches since the accident.
A poison control hotline has also been introduced for East Palestinian residents only, which can be reached at 1-877-603-0170.
Doctors from East Liverpool City Hospital have been recruited to help out at the clinic, located inside the First Church of Christ, 20 W. Martin St in East Palestine.
Two evaluation rooms have been set up inside the church and a mobile unit outside.
Initially intended for East Palestinian residents with medical questions or concerns, the clinic expanded its reach soon after opening, but prioritized those closest to the disaster.
The broader area includes all residents of Unity Township in Ohio, as well as residents of Beaver County, Pennsylvania in ZIP codes 16115, 16120, and 16141.
Appointments can be made by calling 234-564-7755 or 234-564-7888.
All attendees will have their temperature, pulse and respiratory rate taken, as well as a medical examination. Referrals will be made as needed.
ODH Director Dr Bruce Vanderhoff said: ‘We have been working to bring additional medical resources to the community as quickly as possible.
“I am pleased that we can now offer people a more comprehensive medical evaluation.”
The clinic will be open at least until March 4. Hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, except this Friday (February 24) when it opens from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Fifty Norfolk Southern Railroad freight train cars carrying toxic vinyl chloride derailed in Columbiana County around 9 pm on Friday, February 3.
The railway company conducted a controlled release of the cancer-causing chemicals on Monday, February 6 to prevent a possible explosion.
Hundreds of East Palestinian residents were evacuated from their homes ahead of liberation, but were told on February 8 that it was safe to return. Many doubt that its symptoms will occur.
It later emerged that three other dangerous chemicals—ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylhexyl acrylate, and isobutylene—were also in the cars.
Substances released during the incident can cause symptoms including nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath.
Raven Ramsey, who lives in Niles, Ohio, about 27 miles east of Palestine, said on Facebook: “All three of my children have had coughs, watery, puffy eyes, nausea, and headaches.”
She added: “I’m worried and don’t know where to go or start.”
Six toxic chemicals were on board the trains that derailed, two of which are known to cause cancer and can cause nose and eye irritation and headaches when inhaled.
Melissa Ryan, a mother of two who lives six miles from the derailment, said there was a “giant black cloud” directly overhead her home.
“We were away the weekend of the derailment, but when I got back that Sunday, my eyes started burning and have been burning ever since. I have a cough, both my children have a cough.
‘They go to the pediatrician to listen to their lungs. I’m tired.’
She added: “Since we’re out of the mile, there’s absolutely no assist for us.”
Another resident said: “We live about 10 miles away, the family experiences severe headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath.”
Candice DeSanzo, a resident of East Palestine, evacuated the area with her five children after the derailment, but returned when federal authorities lifted the evacuation order.
‘We all have red rashes, loose stools, congestion, burning eyes. Everything smells. I’ve been having terrible headaches,’ he told an Ideastream reporter at a community meeting last night.
