NIH Launches East Palestine Train Disaster Study Office

New $10 million research initiative aims to assess long-term health impacts on community

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has opened the East Palestine Train Derailment Health Research Program Office to study the long-term health effects stemming from the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. The new office will coordinate a five-year, $10 million research initiative to engage directly with the community, enroll residents in studies, and provide clear, credible information about the disaster's public health impacts.

Why it matters

The 2023 East Palestine train derailment involving hazardous chemicals raised significant concerns about potential long-term health effects on the local community. This new NIH research program aims to give residents access to independent, rigorous scientific studies to understand the full scope of the disaster's impact on maternal, child, psychological, respiratory, and cardiovascular health.

The details

Three years ago, on Feb. 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio involved 38 railcars carrying hazardous chemicals. The resulting fires and controlled burns raised concerns about the potential release of toxic substances like hydrogen chloride and phosgene. Local residents reported initial health issues like headaches, respiratory problems, and skin/eye irritation, prompting worries about longer-term effects.

  • On February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train derailment occurred in East Palestine, Ohio.
  • The new NIH research program office opened in February 2026, three years after the initial train disaster.

The players

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

The National Institutes of Health is the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and public health research.

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

The Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Jay Bhattacharya

The Director of the National Institutes of Health.

Norfolk Southern

The freight railroad company whose train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio in 2023.

University of Kentucky

One of the universities participating in the NIH research program.

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What they’re saying

“NIH's research hub offers the people of East Palestine a pathway to clear answers about their health they deserve. Everyone affected by this environmental disaster deserves access to independent, gold-standard science that puts their well-being first.”

— Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services

“This research program is designed to bring rigorous, independent science directly to the community. By establishing a local presence, we can better engage residents, support enrollment in studies, and ensure the research reflects the real experiences and concerns of the people affected.”

— Jay Bhattacharya, Director of the National Institutes of Health

What’s next

Researchers and representatives from NIH's National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the University of Kentucky, the University of Pittsburgh, and Yale University will continue engaging with the East Palestine community, coordinating studies, and helping residents enroll in the federally supported health research program.

The takeaway

This new NIH research initiative demonstrates the federal government's commitment to providing the East Palestine community with rigorous, independent scientific studies to fully understand the long-term public health impacts of the 2023 train disaster. By establishing a local presence and directly engaging residents, the program aims to give the community clear, credible information to address their health concerns.