East Palestine Research Findings

This pilot study explored how the immune system responds to chemical exposure following the train derailment. Nineteen East Palestine residents provided blood and urine samples on July 17–18, 2023. Their immune cell counts were analyzed and compared with a non-exposed comparison group. Participants have received their results.

Fact Sheet

Community Webinar

Study Publication

Characterizing Immune Perturbations in Peripheral Blood Following the East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment 

Sheridan B. Wagner, Hami Hemati, Siva Gandhapudi, Timothy J. Hilbert, Candace Brancato, Erin N. Haynes, and Ilhem Messaoudi. Characterizing immune perturbations in peripheral blood following the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology. 15 May 2026.

This pilot study was conducted to measure specific Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in indoor air. We used a small passive air sampler in 31 East Palestine buildings, mostly homes. Participants have received their results.

Fact Sheet

Eighteen East Palestine Health Tracking Study participants provided blood for analyses to measure dioxin levels in their blood (serum) and compare with levels typically found in the US. The findings have been published, and participants have received their results.

Fact Sheet

Study Publication

Serum Dioxin Levels in a Subset of Participants of the East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment Health Tracking Study 

Erin N. Haynes, Brenda Eskenazi, Timothy J. Hilbert, Candace Brancato, Nina Holland, Christine Kim, Antonia M. Calafat, Richard Jones, Mark Davis, Linda S. Birnbaum, Andreas Sjodin. Serum Dioxin Levels in a Subset of Participants of the East Palestine, Ohio Train Derailment Health Tracking Study.  Ecotoxicology and Public Health. 7 June 2024.

This pilot study measured semi-volatile organic compound (SVOC) exposure among East Palestine resident. 80 participants wore a silicone wristband from July 16 to July 23, 2023. The wristbands were analyzed for 135 SVOCs. Participants have received their results.

Fact Sheet

This pilot study measured markers of chemical exposure in urine samples from a subset of East Palestine Health Tracking Study participants and residents of the comparison community in Marietta, Ohio. Results were compared to the United States general population. A brief timeline of the communication timeline: December 2024 - participants received a summary letter reporting group-level results, comparisons across study groups, and their own individual levels; October 2025 - presented at the State of the Science at the East Palestine High School, which was recorded, and publicly available on YouTube, and covered by the press; August 2026: shared as a community webinar as the research was nearing publication.  

Fact Sheet 

Community Webinar

Study Publication 

Urinary Metabolites of Volatile Organic Compounds in a Subset of East Palestine, Ohio Residents Five Months Following the Train Derailment Disaster

Erin N. Haynes; Timothy J. Hilbert; Bela G. Nelson; Christine Kim; Misti Allison; Nicholas Peraino; Candace Brancato; Kristen McQuerry; Judy Westrick.Urinary Metabolites of Volatile Organic Compounds in a Subset of East Palestine, Ohio Residents Five Months Following the Train Derailment Disaster. Environmental Science & Technology. Ecotoxicology and Public Health. 04 September 2026.