Dr. Siegel: Chemical Plant Fire Is a ‘Huge Problem’ for the Health of Texans

RUSH TRANSCRIPT:

PIRRO: "We’re joined by Dr. Mark Siegel. All right, doctor, initially, we think of the floods as outing mosquitoes. Hurricane Harvey could ignite, though, a surge in mosquitoes once the water is capable then of spreading more of these mosquitoes and the Zika virus. Talk to us about that, and talk to us about the mold." 
SIEGEL: "You’re absolutely right. There are 37,000 houses underwater according to Steve Harrigan, but it will recede, left with stillwater, breeding water for mosquitoes, debris, which mosquitoes love. In this area of the country you see the kind of mosquito that carries Zika virus. Zika doesn’t make you very sick. 80% of the time you don’t know you have it, but that’s the problem, because 1 out of 10 pregnant women that get Zika have babies with birth defects." 
PIRRO: "It primarily affects pregnant women, correct?" 
SIEGEL: "In the way we worry about it, yes." 
PIRRO: "Let’s talk about e-coli, the mold, animals that have passed. A sheriff talked about some cattle, some animals, who are dead in the floodwater. What is the impact on, you know, the human condition?" 
SIEGEL: "Judge, they get trapped in the water. It’s very tragic. We’ve been showing it. Then unfortunately you get more and more bacteria in the water, bacteria that’s in her intestines, that can make you sick. If you touch your eyes, you can get conjunctivitis and more. When the waters recede, you get black mold in the buildings. You know what that does? That causes a tremendous amount of increased asthma and allergies." 
>> And the problem is getting clean, fresh water to people in Texas. This is exacerbated by a chemical plant fire. What impact does that have on the surrounding area?" 
SIEGEL: "I’m worried about that, because the sulfur dioxide can give you irritated eyes, nose, throat, and you can get fluid in your lungs. I’m worried about the chemicals. That’s a huge problem. You talked about potable water. They’re trying to fly in as much bottled water as possible, but a lot of people in the region use well water. You’ve got to boil the water before you drink it. 
PIRRO: "Doctor, thank you for being with us."