PITTSBURGH, Pa. — For almost three years, residents in East Palestine have been dealing with health effects attributed to the February 2023 train derailment.

Now, one of the top research universities in the nation has received a grant to continue searching for answers in hopes of better health outcomes for all affected.

When the train went off the rails in East Palestine two years ago, nobody could have seen the consequences impacting residents years in the future. Now, the University of Pittsburgh has been tasked to do exactly that, being awarded more than $440,000 to research the long-term health impacts of the derailment.

Pitt, along with Yale and the University of Kentucky, were awarded $10 million from the National Institute of Health for research in the area. Congressman Chris Deluzio advocated for Pitt to receive the NIH funding.

“I’ve been clear that there has to be research done here, that families need to have some confidence that our government is going to have their backs from what this railroad did, and if there are any long-term health consequences,” Deluzio said. “So, I want to see that research right here in Western Pennsylvania and the region across the border from me in Ohio as well. So, I know those Pitt researchers are some of the best, and they can really get this done.”

Researchers will study liver disease in relation to vinyl chloride – one of the main chemicals spilled in the derailment. In recent lab studies, it was found even a small amount of the chemical can enhance the risk of liver disease and cancer.

Researchers spoke to residents of East Palestine, many of whom complained of thyroid problems. After looking deeper, researchers found there might be a strong link between the liver and thyroid.

This round of funding lasts for five years, and officials like Dr. Juliane Beier say continuing an extensive study is crucial given the disease.

“Liver disease develops a long period of time,” Beier said. “This is why it’s so important to have ongoing funding so we can actually go back and look at the health of these residents.”

Deluzio agrees, pledging to do whatever he can to help Pennsylvanians and Ohioans impacted by the major disaster.

“I’ll push for whatever we need,” Deluzio said. “If the answer is ‘there need to be more funding for this,’ I’ll push for exactly that. I’ve been proud to work with Congressman Rulli, who represents the people of East Palestine on the Railway Safety Act. He and some others have been good supporters, and we’ve tried to get funding here to look at this research to see if there are long-term impacts. So, I’m in that fight for as long as it takes.”