Warnings as
a Result of Hurricane Harvey Coming on Shore in Texas and Southwest
Louisiana
As the hurricane force winds and torrential rainfall
associated with Hurricane Harvey negatively impacted the coastal
areas of Texas and southwest Louisiana, toxic chemicals and bacteria
present in the impacted areas were released into the environment and contaminated
the rain water/flood water as it accumulated in cities, towns and
rural areas. Contaminated flood waters contaminated rivers,
bayous, creeks and impounded areas, soils and sediments,
and homes and businesses. Chemical were also released into the
water and air from a host of small businesses, agricultural
facilities, industrial facilities and petrochemical
facilities.
Sewer
Systems
Sewer
systems serving individual homes and businesses,
industrial facilities, subdivisions, towns and cities were inundated
by excessive rainfall. Untreated sewage overflowed out of the
treatment systems and contaminated the rainwater, storm
water and surface water bodies with bacteria and sewage
nutrient compounds. People coming in contact with the sewage contaminated floodwaters
could have been contaminated with the bacteria and chemicals
and could develop bacterial infections and chemical related
health impacts.
Household
Chemicals
Cleaning chemicals
stored in households and chemicals stored in garages and
sheds (gasoline, diesel, lubricants, pesticides and herbicides)
were released into the floodwaters when homes were flooded. These
chemicals dispersed in the flood waters have exposed individuals, who
waded through and were rescued from standing flood waters, to a
host of chemicals associated with a large number of acute
health impacts.
Chemicals
Used and Sold by Businesses
Chemicals
used and chemicals manufactured in the area Impacted by
Hurricane Harvey and sold by small businesses, wholesalers, grocery
stores, building supply businesses, Walmart type stores,
agricultural supply facilities, etc. were released into the
flood waters and the air in the areas impacted by Hurricane
Harvey. The chemicals consist of a broad range of very toxic
chemicals that cause severe and long lasting health impacts to those
individuals who come in contact with the chemicals and the chemicals
contained in the flood water.
Chemicals
Used and Manufactured in the Area Impacted by Hurricane
Harvey
Chemicals
manufactured by and used in the manufacturing process by small and
medium size chemical manufacturing facilities, petroleum
refineries and chemical plants in the Hurricane Harvey
impacted area in Texas and Louisiana released large quantities of
very toxic chemicals into the air and water. The chemicals were
released into the environment as the result of leaks, spills,
releases from storage tanks and process vessels and
flaring into the air to prevent damage to processes. In
addition larger quantities of chemicals in containers were also swept
away into the environment as a result of tidal surges. During
Hurricane Katrina more than 6,000 vessels, drums, containers, tanks,
etc. were released into the environment as a result of
tidal surges and wind damage.
The chemicals
released into the environment by Hurricane Harvey from these
facilities contaminated surface water, sediments, soils,
vegetation, and individuals who came in contact with the
contaminated floodwaters and containers with chemical contents.
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