East Palestine Train Derailment

CDC and ATSDR continue to aid state and federal partners on emergency response, emergency management, and assessing the health impact of chemicals at the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment site.

If you or your loved ones were affected by the incident in East Palestine, you may have a lot of questions and concerns. This page can offer information and resources to help you learn more.

What should I do if I experience symptoms or have concerns about my health?

If you are experiencing symptoms or have health concerns, please contact your healthcare provider, call the dedicated Poison Control East Palestine Support Line at 877-603-0170 or visit the Poison Control website.

Ohio Department of Health and Columbiana County Health Department are also offering free health assessments to residents who have medical questions or concerns. Call (234) 564 – 7755 or (234) 564 – 7888 for hours and information.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is hosting a Health Resource Center at the Darlington Township Municipal Building, 3590 Darlington Rd, Darlington, PA 16115. The center is offering a free clinical assessment (please note that it will NOT be a full exam or labs), behavioral health support, spiritual care, an opportunity to participate in the Assessment of Chemical Exposure (ACE) survey, and access to other DOH information and resources. In addition the Pennsylvania Departments of Environmental Protection and Agriculture are on site to answer questions and discuss concerns related to air, water, and farming concerns.

For more information, visit the Pennsylvania dashboard (Pennsylvania Train Derailment Dashboard).

What resources are available to help me manage my stress?

It is natural to feel stress, anxiety, grief, and worry during and after an emergency.

There are resources available to help:

For immediate assistance, CALL or TEXT the Disaster Distress Helpline at 1-800-985-5990 (press 2 for Spanish).
Ohio’s CareLine can offer free, confidential, and emotional support with a trained specialist. Call 1-800-720-9616 to connect.
Pennsylvania’s Support & Referral Helpline connects Pennsylvanians with mental and emotional support and to local resources. Call 855-284-2494 (TTY: 724-631-5600).

For more information on managing stress, visit:

Community Stress Fact Sheet | ATSDR (cdc.gov)

What is CDC/ATSDR doing to help?

One thing CDC/ATSDR is doing is assisting state partners in Ohio and Pennsylvania with an Assessment of Chemical Exposures (ACE).

What is an Assessment of Chemical Exposures Investigation (ACE)?

ACE Investigations are rapid assessments that state health departments conduct with help from ATSDR. An ACE Investigation assesses the potential health impacts of a chemical release on individuals and the community.

During an ACE investigation, the team interviews people who may have been exposed to the chemicals of concern. The team collects detailed information on exposure history, symptoms experienced, medical history, and health services used.

Information gathered by the team can help public health responders understand how the derailment incident may be impacting the health of residents in the affected communities and inform decision making.

Who should I call if I have questions about air monitoring, water sampling, or cleaning services for my home?

Call U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) East Palestine information line at 1-866-361-0526. The line is open from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM (Eastern Time). The hotline will help provide various services, including guidance for accessing ongoing air monitoring, water sampling, as well as information about scheduling cleaning services.

Additional Resources:

For information about the train derailment response in East Palestine, Ohio, visit the following resources: