In East Palestine, residents are still concerned about the health effects of a train derailment that occurred last year. However, they are also worried about the well-being of their pets. A study conducted by the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School is collecting blood samples from dogs in East Palestine to test for chemical exposure. This research could help identify early signs of health issues in humans.
Residents like Lonnie Miller, whose house is close to where the derailment occurred, find this study particularly significant. Miller brought her dog, Chevy, in for testing after noticing lumps on her that were not there a year and a half ago. The study aims to detect potential health effects in dogs that could serve as a warning for humans.
Frances Chen, a researcher and assistant professor at the Chan Medical School, explains that testing dogs can provide valuable insights into chemical exposure and its impact on health. Chen mentions that the blood draw conducted on Saturday is part of an ongoing study that utilizes special dog tags, which can detect a wide range of chemicals in the air.
The tags are capable of identifying 1500 different types of chemicals, making them an effective tool for tracking environmental exposure. Miller shared that she wanted her dog to participate in the study to potentially help others who might be affected by chemical exposure in the future. She highlighted that the derailment had greatly impacted their lives and the lives of their pets, emphasizing the need to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves.
In conclusion, this study conducted by the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School provides valuable insights into chemical exposure and its impact on health. Testing dogs can serve as an effective tool for tracking environmental exposure and identifying potential health issues in humans. Residents like Lonnie Miller find this study particularly significant as it could help identify early signs of health issues caused by chemical exposure resulting from natural disasters such as train derailments.
