CDC Investigators Studying Health Impacts Of Ohio Train Derailment Fell Ill

Ohio Railroad Toxic Waste Spill: A Visual Timeline of Key Events

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said last month that some researchers in East Palestine, Ohio, are looking into the railroad's potential health effects.

On February 3, residents in and around the city complained of symptoms including drowsiness and headaches after the Norfolk Southern Railway released the highly toxic chemicals vanillin chloride, ethyl acrylate and isobutylene into the region. Also a high risk carcinogen.

As first reported by CNN and confirmed by ABC News, seven researchers at the CDC and the US Department of Health and Human Services' Registry of Toxic Substances and Diseases began showing symptoms.

MORE: Experts assess how Ohio train cuts could affect pregnant women and young children

Seven members of the 15-person CDC/ATSDR team conducting chemical exposure studies (CSE) in eastern Palestine reported symptoms including sore throat, headache, cough and nausea, CDC News reported.

According to the federal health agency, these symptoms are similar to those reported by residents and other passersby in ACE door-to-door surveys.

© General J. Puskar/AP Norfolk and Southern portions of the freight train will pass through East Palestine, Ohio by February 4, 2023.

The CDC said all seven people immediately reported their symptoms to federal officials.

“Most team members' symptoms disappeared on the same day and everyone resumed collecting survey data within 24 hours. The affected team members have not reported any further health problems,” the statement said.

It's unclear whether investigators' symptoms were caused by toxic chemicals released in the area, but after repeated assurances from government officials and Norfolk Southern officials that the air and drinking water were safe.

MORE: East Palestinian mother on poisoned rail line: 'My 7-year-old son asked me if I was going to die'

Earlier this month, the US Environmental Protection Agency said it wanted to directly test the South Norfolk Toxic Chemicals Group for dioxin.

Burning vinyl chloride can release dioxins into the air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, dioxins are known as persistent organic pollutants, meaning that once released into the environment, they take a long time to break down.

If tests show that dioxin is present at levels that pose a risk to human health or the environment, the EPA requires the company to clean up the area.

News of the investigators' illness came the same day the Justice Department filed a lawsuit seeking nearly $65,000 in fines against Norfolk Southern for daily violations of the Clean Water Act, including about $65,000 in fines.

1/2023 National Advisory Council for Nursing