Update, 3:40 p.m.:
The North Texas Poison Center at Parkland Memorial Hospital released a statement saying it has received phone calls from concerned Texans who may have been exposed to chemicals in the air around the town of West, Texas.
Parkland says no long-term effects from the fire and subsequent explosion at the facility are expected; however, mild irritation to the eyes, nose and throat may occur.
Trained toxicologists, nurses and pharmacists are available to provide free, confidential medical advice at 1.800.222.1222
Update, 12:00 p.m.: Providence Healthcare Network in Waco has treated 65 people from the explosion. Spokesperson Heather Beck says 15 have been admitted.
Beck says the patients are being treated for injuries typical of an explosion:
- Lacerations
- Blunt abdominal trauma
- Respiratory distress
- Head trauma
- Broken bones
- Minor burns
Beck says one patient who arrived last night in critical condition has been upgraded to stable condition this morning.
Our original post: There are two patients being treated at Parkland Memorial Hospital in Dallas, after the explosion at the fertilizer plant in West, Texas.
Dr. Alex Eastman, a trauma surgeon at Parkland, confirmed the hospital received two patients from the incident. Both patients are being treated for blast injuries. Eastman explains the blast injuries they suffered are both “primary” and “secondary” -meaning injuries both directly related to the pressure wave from the explosion and to the flying shrapnel that resulted from the blast.
Both patients are in stable condition. One is in the operating room and another is recovering.
He says both patients at Parkland were far enough away from the fertilizer plant that they didn’t seem to be exposed to any chemicals.