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By Amanda C. Davis
Special to The Times
EAST PALESTINE -- Residents trickled in Tuesday at First Church of Christ where a clinic was set up to provide health assessments for those experiencing symptoms related to the Feb. 3 train derailment that included cars carrying toxic chemicals.
The Ohio Department of Health and Columbiana County Health Department teamed up to provide referrals, mental health services, assessments and the opportunity for residents to talk to a nurse or toxicologist.
Matthew Stokes, of Union Township, Pa., works as a fabricator and welder at CeramFab on East Taggart Street. He had the first appointment at noon and said he's disappointed that all he did was fill out a questionnaire and answer a few questions.
"All they're doing is damage control," he said.
He did speak with a nurse in person and a toxicologist by phone during his appointment.
Stokes said he's on medical leave because of symptoms including puffy eyes, nausea, ringing ears, chest pain and lethargy.
"I'm miserable, just don't feel right," he said. "I don't know how to explain it."
Resident Lori Laich said she's suffered headaches, a rash and runny nose since the derailment. She showed up for an assessment Tuesday, saying she was hoping to get bloodwork done but was told this appointment was more of a fact-finding assessment.
"I just want to know if I was poisoned," she said.
The clinic is open Wednesday through Saturday this week beginning at 8 a.m. It closes at 8 p.m. all days except Friday, when it closes at 4 p.m. Residents who want to make an appointment may call 234-564-7755 or 234-564-7888.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said Tuesday that any resident could visit free of charge, noting that "people want to be able to go someplace and get answers about any kind of medical problems they are having." He encouraged anybody experiencing health concerns in the affected area to schedule an appointment at the clinic.
Across town, other residents gathered Tuesday at the Family Assistance Center at Abundant Life Fellowship in New Waterford. The church is serving as a gathering place where residents can get bottled water and sign up for $1,000 reimbursement checks to cover expenses incurred when the town was evacuated.
Matt D'Elia, a Norfolk Southern employee, said Tuesday they see about 200 to 250 people each day. He said residents are being assigned time slots to avoid long waits and expedite payments.
"We're being as accommodating as possible," he said. "We will be here until everyone is seen."
Richard Blower, born and raised in East Palestine, stopped to pick up a few cases of water from the center. He said he's glad to see Norfolk Southern step up but isn't really worried the derailment will impact his health.
"I live back in the woods by myself and I keep to myself," he said. "I'm getting too old to worry about stuff."
Resident Ayla Antoniazzi is worried and said her daughters, Presley, 4, and Tris, 2, broke out in a rash and complained their eyes were hurting.
"I've been getting headaches too," she said, explaining they plan to see their family doctor this week for a checkup.
The kids are staying at her parents' house, she said, and she's been deep cleaning their South Market Street home "from top to bottom" to limit their exposure to toxins.
Abundant Life Pastor Jeff Schoch said water was donated from as far away as Akron, Canton and Ohio's Amish country.
"We solicited nothing and got everything," he said. "The generosity has been wonderful."
He said the church will be available to the community as long as the need is there.
"It's been very rewarding for us to have a place for them to come."
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