DEER PARK, Texas — There is now a hotline for those who are worried about their health due to the above normal Benzene levels caused by the chemical fire in Deer Park.
Harris Health has a hotline where residents can get answers to their questions about signs and symptoms.
The Ask My Nurse hotline service gives callers a quick, easy, and free way to decide whether they should go to the doctor or an emergency room, says The Harris Health System.
Nurses on the line will also refer callers to the nearest emergency center or urgent care center if necessary.
The hotline is open from 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. 7 days a week.
The hotline number is 713-634-1110.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo tweeted about the hotline Thursday morning.
At 8:30 a.m., Harris County Public Health Director Dr. Umair Shah says the hotline is working, but so many calls are coming in, it had already hit max capacity.
For more information about the Ask My Nurse hotline, click here.
For anyone who is feeling stressed or anxious, the National Distress Hotline is available to help.
That number is 1-800-985-5990.
The hotline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone in need of emotional support.
Several mobile clinics were also set up in the Deer Park area on Thursday.
The clinics offer wellness screenings, vision and hearing screenings, immunizations for adults and children, among other services. All services are provided to the public free of charge.
The clinics are located at 500 W 13th Street at the Jimmy Burke Activity Center in Deer Park, Texas.
The clinics will be open until 7 p.m. Thursday and on Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Deer Park residents, Nick and Ashley Elizondo, told us they have been coughing for the last few days. They said Harris County Public Health told them they have an asthma specialization inside the clinics
"I've been having a lot of respiratory issues. ...We're coming here because we just can't get better. We're wanting to know if all of this is from the chemicals." said Ashley.
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