Right after the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the Biden administration sent federal agencies to help with emergency response and public health testing. The White House and EPA officials, including then-Administrator Michael Regan, publicly stated that the local water was safe and residents were not at risk.

Despite these assurances, surprising new emails reveal reports from the area later indicated that significant issues persisted. The communications uncovered by the Government Accountability Project show the Biden administration privately aired concerns that the East Palestine derailment posed a serious risk to town residents of toxic exposure and long-term health dangers due to the release of hazardous chemicals. These substances could lead to significant health issues, including respiratory problems, skin irritation, and increased cancer risk over time.

Whistleblowers, such as Dr. George Thompson and Stephen Petty, condemned the Biden administration’s premature declaration of safety, urging thorough health monitoring and arguing that assertions of “no long-term health impacts” lacked evidence due to inadequate evaluations.

Hopefully, Trump’s new NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya will perform a detailed, follow-up health study for East Palestine residents soon.

PHOTO CREDIT: Screengrab of the 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio – By National Transportation Safety Board – https://reuters.com/world/us/ohio-carry-out-controlled-release-chemicals-train-derailment-site-2023-02-06 (direct link), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=128540829