May 20, 2025
New FOIA Documents Reveal FEMA Wrongdoing in East Palestine, Ohio
WASHINGTON – New documents from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) obtained through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request have revealed the government was aware of significant toxic exposure, health risks that would require at least 20 years of medical monitoring, and even the potential for cancer clusters following the Norfolk Southern train derailment spill and illegal vent-and-burn in East Palestine, Ohio in February 2023.
The newly obtained documents have confirmed Government Accountability Project whistleblower disclosures released over the course of the two years since this disaster that point to inevitable health impacts.
Originally, Government Accountability Project’s FOIA request was refused by FEMA to release this information leading to a lawsuit against the agency and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for this failure to respond. These bombshell documents reveal FEMA acknowledged the health risks the community and allies frequently spoke out about as a top concern.
The agency noted, “The occurrence of a cancer-cluster in [East Palestine] is not zero,” and expressed the need for a “tripwire to identify cancer clusters.” In 2023, a FEMA-appointed Federal Coordinator charged with assessing the unmet needs of the community was instructed not to directly engage with affected residents. In an internal email, the Federal Coordinator stated, “I have been advised best...
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