On Feb. 3, 2023, a 38-car-long freight train operated by Norfolk Southern crashed near East Palestine, Ohio, releasing dangerous chemicals and sparking a major fire. The derailment occurred after a wheel bearing caught fire, which caused the axle to fall off and led to evacuations of over 2,000 residents amid toxic smoke and controlled burns.
The toxic spill triggered widespread health complaints including headaches and respiratory issues, prompting ongoing concerns and calls for well-coordinated health tracking and research in the affected community. On June 19, 2025, officials announced a new five-year, $10 million NIH initiative to study the spill’s long-term health effects, hailed by Vice President JD Vance as a step to provide science-backed answers.
This research aims to improve public health surveillance in East Palestine and help residents access care, reflecting federal efforts to address the disaster’s lasting impacts after earlier criticism of response delays.
