WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and J.D. Vance (R-OH) and U.S. Representatives Bill Johnson (R-OH-06) and Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13) sent a letter to the Honorable Xavier Becerra, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requesting they act immediately to provide additional assistance and resources on the ground in East Palestine to help the affected community assess and address the public health impacts of the derailment. 

“We understand that the CDC/ATSDR is already working with the Ohio Department of Health, Pennsylvania Department of Health, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other partner organizations to coordinate a response to the situation in East Palestine, analyze the results of on-the-ground monitoring, and assist with public health messaging around the incident. We urge HHS to work closely with Governor DeWine to ensure additional federal personnel and resources are deployed as quickly as possible to provide direct support in responding to the situation in East Palestine and the surrounding areas,” wrote the lawmakers.

Today, Brown visited East Palestine with EPA Administrator Michael Regan to hear from East Palestine residents, visit the derailment site and meet with emergency responders. Brown’s visit follows a letter he sent to Governor Mike DeWine calling on him to officially declare a disaster in East Palestine and seek the full support of the federal government to bolster the state of Ohio’s ongoing clean-up efforts. Brown also led letters to NTSB and EPA raising concerns and calling on the agencies investigate and provide assistance to the East Palestine community. 

A copy of the letter is available below and here:

Dear Secretary Becerra and Director Walensky:

We write regarding the February 3, 2023, Norfolk Southern train derailment near the Ohio-Pennsylvania border in East Palestine, resulting in hazardous chemicals being released into the air, surface soils, and surface waters in and surrounding East Palestine. We understand that Governor DeWine requested assistance from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) earlier this morning to help on the ground in East Palestine and the surrounding area. We urge HHS, specifically the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR), to act immediately to provide the resources and support necessary to the state of Ohio to help the affected community assess and address the public health impacts of the derailment.

We understand that the CDC/ATSDR is already working with the Ohio Department of Health, Pennsylvania Department of Health, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other partner organizations to coordinate a response to the situation in East Palestine, analyze the results of on-the-ground monitoring, and assist with public health messaging around the incident. We urge HHS to work closely with Governor DeWine to ensure additional federal personnel and resources are deployed as quickly as possible to provide direct support in responding to the situation in East Palestine and the surrounding areas. Specifically, we encourage HHS to work with the Governor and other partners on the ground to:

  • Complete an epidemiological assessment so that members of the East Palestine community and surrounding area have accurate information on the potential health impacts of the chemical release resulting from the derailment and subsequent activities on the ground;
  • Deploy federal medical personnel to the area, including a Public Health Emergency Response Strike Team – which should include Environmental Health Officers, clinical providers, and behavioral health providers – or a Medical Reserve Corps team;
  • Participate in state-led emergency coordination calls and other activities to provide expert advice and analysis;
  • Continue to coordinate with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and others to monitor data from air, soil, and water testing to monitor and assess any public health risk;
  • Continue to assist with public health messaging and communication materials;
  • Explore potential options to ensure residents of East Palestine have access to affordable and accessible health care and coverage options, including the potential application section 1395rr-1 of the Affordable Care Act, which authorizes Medicare coverage for individuals exposed to certain environmental health hazards.

It is our understanding that Governor DeWine has already officially requested additional federal assistance from HHS and CDC. It is of the utmost importance that federal resources be deployed immediately to help aid in the response in East Palestine. We urge you to remain in close contact with the Governor and his team, as well as other partners on the ground, and act immediately to fulfill Governor DeWine’s request for additional direct support.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. If there’s anything we can do to help ensure HHS and CDC/ASTDR have the resources and support necessary to facilitate a thorough on-the-ground response, please do not hesitate to ask. We stand ready to support your work protecting the public health.

Sincerely, 

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