Houston Area Health Alert Network
**FOR USE BY HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS ONLY** – NOT for Public Distribution/Posting as may contain potentially CONFIDENTIAL health information.
This transmission is a HEALTH ADVISORY. A Health Advisory provides important health information for a specific incident or situation. An Advisory may require increased awareness but not require immediate action. It is being sent to select HAN participants, based on the subject matter. We request your assistance with distribution of this information as appropriate within your institution. Harris County Public Health is responsible for maintaining the Houston Area Health Alert Network (HAN). For more information about the HAN or to subscribe to alert messages, please go to https://secure.hcphes.org/EHANSign/User/Login.aspx. To unsubscribe from future alert messages, please email the HCPH Epidemiology Program at Epidemiology_Program@hcphes.org and write in the subject of the email “UNSUBSCRIBE.”
Deer Park Chemical Plant Fire Health Advisory
On behalf of Harris County Public Health
March 18, 2019
Since March 17, 2019, chemical storage tanks fire in Deer Park has continued to burn sending a black smoke plume in the air. Chemicals in the tanks include Naphtha, Xylene, Ethylene Dichloride, gasoline, and petroleum. Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is working with our response partners to monitor the situation. Air monitoring by our response partners, thus far, has not indicated unsafe levels. However, since this is an evolving situation, HCPH has issued a precautionary statement (attached) to recommend any individuals who feel they are experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider. Common symptoms may include coughing, difficulty breathing, and burning, irritation and redness to eyes, nose, and throat. Individuals may also experience headaches, nausea, or dizziness. The elderly, pregnant women, children, those with respiratory issues, or the immunosuppressed may be especially impacted.
We are sending this advisory to you for your awareness in case you see patients with those symptoms. Please consider and ask the relevant exposure history. HCPH will continue working with partners, including area providers and hospitals, to monitor the ongoing situation and will provide updates accordingly.
If you have questions, please contact HCPH at 713-439-6012.
| HOUSTON AREA HEALTH DEPARTMENTS | |||
| Harris County Public Health | Houston Health Department | ||
| Telephone: | (713) 439-6000 | Telephone: | (832) 393-5080 24 hr. # |
| Fax: | (713) 439-6306 | Fax: | (832) 393-5232 |
| After Hours: | (713) 755-5000 | www.houstontx.gov/health/index.html | |
| http://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/ | |||
| Texas Department of State Health Services | Galveston County Health District | ||
| Health Service Region 6/5 South | Telephone: | (409) 938-2322 | |
| Telephone: | (713) 767-3000 | Fax: | (409) 938-2399 |
| Fax: | (713) 767-3006 | After hours: | (888) 241-0442 |
| After hours: | (800) 270-3128 | www.gchd.org | |
| www.dshs.state.tx.us/region6-5/default.shtm | |||
| Montgomery County Public Health Department | Fort Bend County Health and Human Services | ||
| Telephone: | (936) 523-5026 | Telephone: | (281) 342-6414 |
| Fax: | (936) 539-9272 | Fax: | (281) 342-7371 |
| After hours: | (888) 825-9754 | After hours: | (281) 434-6494 |
| www.mchd-tx.org/publichealth | www.fbchealth.org | ||
| Brazoria County Health Department | |||
| Telephone: | (979) 864-2168 | ||
| Fax: | (979) 864-3694 | ||
| After hours: | (800) 511-1632 | ||
| www.publichealthmatters.net | |||
– Naphtha: https://www.collectioncare.org/MSDS/naphthamsds.pdf
– Gasoline: https://www.hess.com/docs/us-safety-data-sheets/gasoline-all-grades.pdf?sfvrsn=2
– Xylene: http://www.holmberg.se/upload/product/files/sds-xylene-eng-2013-11-11—474.pdf
– PyGas: https://www.vitol.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/Pygas-V14007a-Rev.002.pdf