Wristbands Issued To Detect Chemical Exposure In Harvey Flooding Victims

Residents affected by recent flooding in south Texas can take steps to monitor their exposure to hazardous chemicals that could be floating in floodwaters.

KHOU-TV reports that researchers from Oregon State University partnered with Texas universities and health organizations to pass out wristbands in several Houston-area communities that were ravaged by Hurricane Harvey.

The silicone bracelet, developed at OSU and introduced in 2015, is worn on the wrist for one week and can absorb and identify about 1,400 different substances. Participants in Texas can mail their wristbands for testing after seven days.

Although Texas' Gulf Coast is home to a massive collection of chemical plants, refineries and other industrial facilities, health officials said the most immediate threat from the torrential rainfall — aside from drowning — was household chemicals caught up in rising waters.

Oregon State researchers said that although chemical exposure is important to identifying adverse health effects, it is far too soon to draw conclusions from any findings from the wristband tests — especially in the wake of an unprecedented natural disaster.

"Despite the importance of chemical exposure assessment, there is little information about the frequency and magnitude of personal exposures to many chemicals, especially during disasters," Oregon State toxicologist Kim Anderson told the network.