Healthy Futures Research Study: Linking Somatic Mutation Rate With Baseline Exposure in East Palestine

On February 3, 2023, at 8:55 pm EST, over 30 train cars from a Norfolk Southern train carrying hazardous chemicals derailed in the village of East Palestine, Ohio. In a few hours, residents within a 1- mile radius were ordered to evacuate, followed by several shelter-in-place orders. By February 6, the evacuation zone was expanded, and a controlled burn was implemented in the hopes of preventing an explosion. A week later, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced vinyl chloride, butyl acrylate, ethylhexyl acrylate, and ethylene glycol monobutyl ether were released into the air, surface soil, and surface waters. Although the EPA failed to detect contaminants at concerning levels for human health in the East Palestine region on February 12, East Palestine residents with private wells were recommended to use bottled water only four days later, and subsequent testing has detected elevated chemical levels in the region. The EPA instructed Norfolk Southern to expand testing and include dioxin testing on March 2. Four days later seven members of a 15-person CDC/ATSDR team reported sore throats, headaches, coughing and nausea after conducting Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) surveys. The inconsistent messaging from the EPA and other governmental agencies have frustrated East Palestine and surrounding community (EPSC) residents, and generated concerns regarding long-term health effects.

This study has several aims:

• Establish the Healthy Futures Pilot Cohort utilizing a community-engaged research approach
• Compare genotoxicity levels arising from chemical exposure by geographical proximity and direction from the train derailment epicenter utilizing the somatic mutation rate in DNA among residents
• Understand experiences during and post-disaster with respect to effects on quality of life, perceived stressors, future prospects, and overall health-and how acute disasters shape risk perception, coping strategies, and access to health-protective resources through semi-structured interviews.