In the aftermath of last year’s train derailment in East Palestine, concerns about health persist among residents. Many are also worried about the well-being of their pets, who may have been exposed to chemicals during the incident. A study conducted by the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School is addressing this issue by drawing blood from dogs in East Palestine to test for chemical exposure.
Residents like Lonnie Miller, who lives near where the derailment occurred, have brought their dogs in for testing. Miller shared that her dog, Chevy, has developed lumps that were not present a year and a half ago. The study aims to detect health effects in dogs, which could serve as an indicator of potential health risks for humans. Frances Chen, a researcher and assistant professor at the Chan Medical School, explained that the blood draws conducted on Saturday are part of an ongoing larger study.
Chen elaborated on the use of passive sampling tags deployed after the train derailment to measure chemical exposures in the air. These tags can detect up to 1500 different types of chemicals. Miller expressed her desire for her dog to participate in the study to aid in identifying and addressing potential health hazards related to chemical exposure in the community.
The impact of the train derailment on residents’ lives, including their pets, is significant. Miller highlighted the need to advocate for animals who cannot voice their concerns. She emphasized the far-reaching effects of the disaster on every aspect of their lives and urged residents to participate in the study to contribute to future health monitoring efforts.
This study has great potential as it could identify early warning signs of health effects that may also impact humans. Residents should be aware that if they have any concerns about their pets or themselves following exposure to chemicals during last year’s train derailment, they should reach out to this study immediately for further evaluation and treatment options if necessary.
Overall, this study represents a significant step towards understanding and mitigating potential health risks related to chemical exposure following last year’s train derailment in East Palestine.
