Media contact: Brenda Franco, [email protected] // 832.755.6220

HOUSTON AREA – The tire and debris field fire that burned for 24 hours in Manchester is now contained. However, we remain concerned about what people across the Houston area were breathing and about the conditions that allowed this emergency to occur in the first place. 

We recognize that local and state agencies monitoring air quality did not report any concerning readings. In the past, during major fire events such as at ITC Deer Park in 2019, the community was told the same thing, only to learn later that this was not true. Preliminary analysis from publicly available monitoring data by Air Alliance Houston (AAH) shows that there was a marked change in air quality during the fire.

Says Leticia Gutierrez, Government Affairs Director for Air Alliance Houston (AAH) and a nearby resident, “This isn’t the first time we have been told there’s no concern for air quality during an active large-scale fire. In 2019, the same location was the site of another fire with 20-foot flames. We need much greater transparency in the air monitoring data and we must know from TCEQ and other regulators why this facility is allowed to operate at all.”

Fires release harmful Particulate Matter (PM) pollution into the air while they burn, as well as any of the chemicals that are contained in the burning materials; in this case, rubber tires. Rubber burning can release “black carbon” and heavy metals such as lead and mercury.  These chemicals are known to affect health with prolonged exposure adversely. 

“The Houston area is home to multiple petrochemical facilities that produce the chemical components of substances like rubber,” says Jennifer Hadayia, Executive Director of AAH, “When we think about the health impacts of petrochemical production here, we must consider the waste by-products as well, such as discarded tires or even plastic waste, which have their own air quality, health, and safety concerns.”

“While the fire may no longer be producing active PM pollution, there are still things that people should pay attention to in the days ahead.” Says Dr. Inyang Uwak, an environmental epidemiologist at AAH:

• If you experience symptoms of exposure to pollution, see a medical professional for a complete evaluation. Such symptoms could include: throat irritation, persistent cough, difficulty breathing, or an increase in acute signs of a pre-existing health condition such as asthma. 
• This is particularly important for people with chronic health conditions (such as those with chronic lung or heart diseases) and for pregnant people, infants/children, and older adults.

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