The Ohio Department of Health is preparing to offer blood and urine testing and physical exams to first responders who helped clean up after the major toxic train derailment in East Palestine last month.
The testing is expected to begin within two weeks. It will be the first step in a longer-term effort to monitor the health of the first responders, according to CNN. A local church in East Palestine has also decided to open its health assessment clinic permanently.
OHIO COULD BECOME NEXT BATTLEGROUND STATE ON ABORTION
“In early March, ODH began soliciting first responders to voluntarily fill out a specialized After Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey, and more than 200 have filled those out so far. This collects information on type of exposure and PPE worn as well as any health impacts responders may be experiencing,” the department told CNN.
“The next step in our comprehensive plan of ongoing monitoring of first responders involves creating a clinical service within the next several weeks. This service is in the planning stages and many details still have not been determined, but it would include voluntary laboratory testing,” it added.
Approximately 300 firefighters from 50 departments, including many volunteers, responded to the derailment on Feb. 3, 2023. The subsequent fire that broke out burned through many of the firefighters’ equipment and exposed them to at least five toxic chemicals. Others did not bring the proper equipment and therefore risked their health.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
It was not clear how the exams and medical care would be paid for, but Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) previously indicated that the railroad company Norfolk Southern would pay for the majority of care. The kind of chemicals responders were exposed to is also unclear, but investigators have reported that multiple cars were carrying toxic chemicals like vinyl chloride.
DeWine also called on Congress to change requirements for hazardous trains last week. He noted that the failure to classify the Norfolk Southern train as a “high hazardous material” train prevented officials from knowing what dangerous chemicals the train was carrying.
