| Title: | Spatial and temporal distribution of surface water contaminants in the Houston Ship Channel after the Intercontinental Terminal Company Fire |
| Author(s): | Jang S; McDonald TJ; Bhandari S; Rusyn I; Chiu WA; |
| Address: | "Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA. Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA. Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA. wchiu@cvm.tamu.edu" |
| Journal Title: | J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol |
| DOI: | 10.1038/s41370-021-00343-3 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1559-064X (Electronic) 1559-0631 (Print) 1559-0631 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "BACKGROUND: The fire at the Intercontinental Terminals Company (ITC, Deer Park, La Porte, TX, USA) from March 17 to 20, 2019 resulted in substantial releases of chemical contaminants to the environment, including the surface waters of the Houston Ship Channel. OBJECTIVE: To characterize spatial and temporal trends, as well as potential human health risks, from these releases. METHODS: Out of 433 substances with available data, seven were selected for analysis: benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, oil and grease, suspended solids, and total petroleum hydrocarbons. Spatial and temporal concentration trends were characterized, and hazard quotients and cancer risks were calculated to estimate the potential for human health impacts from these contaminants. RESULTS: Temporal analysis showed presence of these chemical contaminants in water immediately after the event; their concentrations dissipated substantially within 4 weeks. The spatial distribution of contaminants indicated the highest concentrations in the waterways within about 1 km of the ITC. The greatest potential human health risks stemmed from presence of benzene. SIGNIFICANCE: A short-term but substantial spike in the concentrations of a number of hazardous contaminants occurred near the incident, with concentrations returning to apparent baseline levels within 1 month likely due to a combination of volatization, dilution and degradation" |
| Keywords: | Animals Benzene Benzene Derivatives *Deer Environmental Monitoring *Fires Humans Toluene/analysis Water Xylenes Btex Disaster response Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) Water pollutants; |
| Notes: | "MedlineJang, Suji McDonald, Thomas J Bhandari, Sharmila Rusyn, Ivan Chiu, Weihsueh A eng P30 ES029067/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/ P42 ES027704/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/ T32 ES026568/ES/NIEHS NIH HHS/ Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2021/06/04 J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol. 2021 Sep; 31(5):887-899. doi: 10.1038/s41370-021-00343-3. Epub 2021 Jun 2" |
