In East Palestine, Ohio, following a train derailment carrying noxious chemicals, the First United Presbyterian Church has stepped forward to provide its premises as a working site for a group of researchers from the University of Kentucky. Erin Haynes, who chairs the university’s epidemiology and environmental health department, emphasized the importance of informing the town’s residents about the chemicals present in their bodies due to the derailment. Twenty residents of East Palestine will take part in the research and another study involving 75 participants will be required to wear silicone wristbands designed to absorb chemicals present in water and air. Participants will wear these silicone wristbands for a week, after which the bands will be sent to Duke University for analysis. The researchers will specifically examine the presence of dioxins as well as chemicals that may result from burning processes.
Christian Headlines reports:
A Presbyterian church in East Palestine, Ohio, is hosting a group of researchers after a train carrying noxious chemicals derailed in the town.
First United Presbyterian Church has offered its building as a working site for a team of researchers from the University of Kentucky, Religion News Service reports.
“The residents deserve to know what chemicals are in their bodies, especially from this derailment,” said Erin Haynes, chair of the university’s epidemiology and environmental health department. “And then that information can also help inform medical attention that they would need, interventions or better medical care, and monitoring. There needs to be a health monitoring plan for this community.”
Earlier this week, Haynes and her team met with study participants to collect biological samples in the community.
“There should have been organized collection of samples of their urine and blood in February,” she said.
Twenty East Palestine residents will participate in the study, with 75 participating in another study that asks them to wear silicone wristbands that absorb the chemicals in water and air.
After residents wear the wristbands for a week, the silicone bands will be sent to Duke University to be analyzed for dioxins and other chemicals that result from burning.
Haynes said she’s a Christian, and that inspires her work to help the community.
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