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Epidemiologic Investigation of Injuries Associated With the 2013 Fertilizer Plant Explosion in West, Texas

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 March 2016

Kristi Metzger ,
Hammad Akram Open the ORCID record for Hammad Akram [Opens in a new window] ,
Bonnie Feldt ,
Kahler Stone ,
Stephanie Alvey ,
Sandi Henley ,
Alicia Hernandez ,
Sharon Melville ,
Tracy Haywood  and
David Zane
Kristi Metzger
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas
Hammad Akram
Affiliation:
Waco McLennan County Public Health District, Waco, Texas
Bonnie Feldt
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services, Health Service Region 7, Temple, Texas.
Kahler Stone*
Affiliation:
Waco McLennan County Public Health District, Waco, Texas
Stephanie Alvey
Affiliation:
Waco McLennan County Public Health District, Waco, Texas
Sandi Henley
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services, Health Service Region 7, Temple, Texas.
Alicia Hernandez
Affiliation:
Waco McLennan County Public Health District, Waco, Texas
Sharon Melville
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services, Health Service Region 7, Temple, Texas.
Tracy Haywood
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas
David Zane
Affiliation:
Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Kahler Stone, MPH, Epidemiologist, Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, 225 West Waco Drive, Waco, Texas 76707 (e-mail: [email protected]).
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Abstract

Objective

On April 17, 2013, a fire and subsequent explosion occurred at the West Fertilizer Company plant in West, Texas, and caused extensive damage to the adjacent neighborhood. This investigation described the fatal and nonfatal injuries caused by the explosion.

Methods

Persons injured by the fertilizer plant explosion were identified through death certificates, medical examination reports, medical records, and survivor interviews. Data on patient characteristics, type of injury, and location of injury were collected.

Results

Medical record review indicated that 252 individuals sought medical care for nonfatal injuries directly related to the explosion immediately after the explosion. Fifteen patients died of injuries sustained by the blast. Almost one-quarter of patients were admitted for treatment of injuries. Injuries sustained in the explosion included abrasions/contusions, lacerations/penetrating trauma, traumatic brain injuries/concussions, tinnitus/hearing problems, eye injuries, and inhalational injuries. Patients located closer to the explosion were more likely to be admitted to the hospital for treatment of injuries than were those who were located further away.

Conclusion

Explosions of this magnitude are rare, but can inflict severe damage to a community and its residents. This investigation could be a useful planning resource for other communities, public health agencies, first responders, and medical facilities. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:583–590)

Keywords

disastersinjuryexplosionspreparedness
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , August 2016 , pp. 583 - 590
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2016 

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