WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators JD Vance (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to Administrator Michael Regan of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Director Rochelle Walensky of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urging them to ensure individuals affected by the Norfolk Southern train derailment have access to baseline medical testing. The letter reads, in part:
“We have spoken with multiple constituents who have attempted to get this kind of baseline testing done by their primary care doctors, only to learn that their local doctors lack the capabilities.”
“The residents of East Palestine and the surrounding community deserve to know if their health has been compromised by this disaster now and for years to come. Therefore, we urge you to work with your colleagues across the federal government to allocate the resources and expertise needed to begin the surveys and assessment needed to establish a medical baseline for the community.”
The letter references the professional opinions of Professor Kyle Walsh of Duke University’s School of Medicine and Professor Glenn Talaska of the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine. The professors write, in part:
“In the coming months and years, additional epidemiologic assessments will be necessary to identify potential longer-term negative health outcomes in exposed residents.”
The letter to EPA Administrator Regan and CDC Director Walensky can be read here.
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