March 21, 2019
Update on ITC Deer Park Incident (1130)
What is the danger?
Harris County officials continue to work with response partners to monitor the Deer Park incident, our main concern remains for the health and safety of the entire community.
A benzene leak from the ITC facility that was on fire in Deer Park has prompted the City of Deer Park to issue a shelter-in-place overnight.
Residents in Deer Park are encouraged to shelter in place. Stay indoors and bring your pets indoors. Keep all windows closed, turn off your air conditioning/heating system and fans. Close all vents and fireplace place dampers. Continue to monitor symptoms, especially those who may be at higher risk.
HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS
According to Harris County Public Health, and based on current air monitoring reports, there continues to be a low health risk for the vast majority of the community. Residents experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare providers.
- Common symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
- Burning, irritation and redness to skin, eyes, nose and throat
- Headaches, nausea, or dizziness
- At-risk Populations
- Seniors/Elderly
- Children
- Pregnant women
- Individuals with certain chronic health conditions or immunosuppressed
- Individuals with respiratory diseases (asthma, COPD, emphysema)
What you should do:
- Listen to local officials for updates on the situation and for any actions you need to take.
- If you are asked to shelter in place, know what to do:
- stay indoors
- close windows and doors
- turn off A/C systems
- Monitor local weather wind forecasts.
To help answer any health related questions, the Ask My Nurse hotline by Harris Health System is now open from 8AM to 8:30PM 7 days a week. The number is 713-634-1110. Nurses on the line will help with questions about sign and symptoms. Additionally, individuals with more serious symptoms, call 911 for any life-threatening emergency.
For the vast majority of community outside of Deer Park, there continues to be a low health risk Based on current health-related data from multiple. However, HCPH recommends that any individuals who feel they are experiencing symptoms should contact their healthcare provider.
HCPH wants to remind individuals that the situation may lead to strong feelings of stress or anxiety. If this is the case, talk to you someone you trust or contact the National Distressline (call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746), which offers 24/7 emotional support.
HCPH will continue to working with partners, including hospitals, to monitor the ongoing situation and will provide updates accordingly.
For updated guidance go to: www.readyharris.org/deerparkfire and www.hcphtx.org
Where you can learn more: - Air Quality Data: ReadyHarris.org
- Health Information: Harris County Public Health
- Fixed Air Monitoring Sites: TCEQ
Closures
Roads - SH 225 from Beltway 8 to Hwy 146
Schools - Deer Park ISD
- Channelview ISD
- Clear Horizons Early College High School
- Galena Park ISD
- La Porte ISD
- Pasadena ISD
- Sheldon ISD
- St. Pius V Catholic School
- KIPP – Climb, Explore, Prime, Legacy, Polaris, Voyage, Northeast College Prep,
- San Jacinto College Texas Chiropractic College