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Texas tells people not to worry about vomiting, shortness of breath following massive chemical fire
A fire at a petrochemical storage facility sent noxious clouds over two Texas cities, but state authorities are telling residents not to worry. Some residents, told to shelter in place as the fire burned last week and now experiencing symptoms including vomiting, burning eyes, and shortness of breath, aren’t so sure.
In addition to the fire that burned for four days, a containment wall broke Friday, letting chemical waste into waterways and causing another fire. Tests by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality found nine different chemicals in the water that “exceed their health-protective concentration level,” but insisted there’s no threat to drinking water. The TCEQ also found benzene in the air, but said it wasn’t at dangerous levels.
“I have a garden in my backyard. I'm about to take it up,” area resident Brian Williams told CNN. “I'm not going to eat anything out of it anymore.” Williams says the smoke made him feel sick and he vomited, but since “A lot of us can't afford to go to the doctor … we have to live with this.”
Another area resident, who says “We were held hostage in our own homes,” tried to get his blood tested for benzene exposure. But insurance denied the test, which would have cost $350 out of pocket.
In addition to the fire that burned for four days, a containment wall broke Friday, letting chemical waste into waterways and causing another fire. Tests by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality found nine different chemicals in the water that “exceed their health-protective concentration level,” but insisted there’s no threat to drinking water. The TCEQ also found benzene in the air, but said it wasn’t at dangerous levels.
“I have a garden in my backyard. I'm about to take it up,” area resident Brian Williams told CNN. “I'm not going to eat anything out of it anymore.” Williams says the smoke made him feel sick and he vomited, but since “A lot of us can't afford to go to the doctor … we have to live with this.”
Another area resident, who says “We were held hostage in our own homes,” tried to get his blood tested for benzene exposure. But insurance denied the test, which would have cost $350 out of pocket.
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