A team of CDC workers fell ill after beginning their chemical investigation into the train derailment chemical spill on February 8th.
CDC Workers Sick After Investigating Chemicals in East Palestine
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that a team of seven out of fifteen US government investigators fell ill during their study of the potential health consequences of the train accident that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio in the beginning of March.
Around 50% of the 15-member CDC group experienced various symptoms such as sore throats, mild headaches, coughing and nausea, which were similar to the ailments reported by the residents of East Palestine after the hazardous train derailment on February 3.
The investigators who reported symptoms were among a team that was conducting door-to-door surveys in a community close to the site of the derailment.
Symptoms Went Away Within 24 Hours
“Symptoms resolved for most team members later the same afternoon, and everyone resumed work on survey data collection within 24 hours,” a CDC rep said in a statement to CNN.
According to the CDC, all team members resumed their data collection activities within 24 hours, and those who were affected did not report any long-lasting health effects.
A source familiar with the matter informed CNN that although it is unclear what led to the workers’ illnesses, the team members found it suspicious that they all experienced the same symptoms at the same time.
The unexplained illnesses of the investigators have arisen while government officials and representatives from Norfolk Southern, the train’s operator, maintain that the air and water in the small town of Ohio were not contaminated by the hazardous spill.
The disastrous event compelled residents to evacuate their residences as fires raged for several days, resulting in widespread fear and causing numerous locals to suffer from negative health consequences.
Locals Are Still Frustrated
Many locals have expressed frustration over what they say has been a lack of real information.
Frustrated East Palestine Mayor Trent Conway also ripped President Biden for visiting Ukraine instead of the scene of the toxic train derailment, calling it “the biggest slap in the face.”
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