Money for free health checks paid out post-Wichita chemical spill

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Money has been disbursed to six organizations to help those living in Sedgwick County impacted by groundwater contamination.

A total of $3.5 million has been distributed to make sure residents, especially those living in neighborhoods around 29th and Grove streets, can get free health screenings.

The groundwater in that area was contaminated by a large railyard chemical spill. It is believed it happened in the 1970s, but residents didn’t learn of the spill until 2022. Union Pacific is working to clean up the contamination.

$3.5 million in contamination health screening funding secured

Organizations receiving grant funds are:

  • HealthCore: $1.37 million
  • GraceMed: $603,750
  • Hunter Health: $603,750
  • Wichita Black Nurses Association: $603,750
  • I Am Wichita: $285,000
  • Wichita Medical Research and Education Foundation: $35,000

The Kansas Health Foundation was selected by the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County to administer the grants…

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