The odor of ethyl acrylate could continue to linger in the parish for several more days as Dow continues work to contain the vapors, Dow spokesman Tommy Faucheux said.
Reports of the odor came from all over the parish on Thursday, including Hahnville, the Mimosa Park area of Luling, Boutte, St. Rose and New Sarpy.
Since the odor is strong, the parish said that residents could experience health effects such as irritated eyes, nose and throat, headaches or nausea.
If residents experience any of these symptoms, they are advised to move away from the odor or seek medical attention by visiting personal physicians or calling 911. Those that have higher odor levels in their homes than outside are advised to use fans to push the odor outdoors. Residents may also want to set their air conditioners to discontinue taking in air from the outside, the parish said.
St. Charles Parish Hospital spokesman Brandon Kelly said that 33 patients have visited the hospital complaining of irritated eyes and throats since Tuesday. All have been discharged.
According to a Dow statement, a tank at the site began to release the odor shortly before 5 a.m. Tuesday after the structural condition of the tank became an issue. Dow officials said that the odor causes no long-term health effects.
The Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality and the parish have conducted air quality testing near the Dow site on both sides of the river, and all readings coming back from that sampling have been below allowable levels.
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