Marking the one-year anniversary of the Norfolk Southern train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, the College of Public Health will host guest lecturer Wesley Vins from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, in the Moulton Hall Ballroom, to discuss the health implications caused by the derailment. 

Last February, 38 cars, nearly a dozen of which contained toxic chemicals, derailed in East Palestine, raising environmental and public health concerns for the area. 

During the discussion, Vins will talk to students about his personal experience when responding to the immediate public health concerns and the long-term health consequences that resulted from the derailment. 

“I think we’re going to hear about the public health response to emergencies and what happens in the wake of those emergencies,” Matthew Stefanak, ambassador and instructor for the College of Public Health, said. 

Stefanak said the event is open to all students interested in environmental public health, including those not majoring in public health like communications, public relations and environmental science, Stefanak said. 

“By listening to Doctor Vins, and how the Department of Health played a key role in the response, like monitoring water quality and air quality, I’m hoping that some students will be interested in considering a career in environmental health,” Stefanak said.

Tanner Poe is a reporter. Contact him at [email protected].