The latest chemical to cause concern at the Intercontinental Terminals Co. facility in Deer Park is benzene, which was detected at elevated levels early Thursday morning and prompted shelter-in-place alerts.

The benzene release comes after a massive fire burned through the tank farm for three days and created a miles-long plume of smoke visible throughout the Houston area. The fire was extinguished Wednesday, but officials previously warned of the possibility of other chemical exposure in the area.

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Fire officials said benzene leaked out from a foam blanket smothering the tank farm in Deer Park. ITC officials added that the benzene levels "are below those that represent an immediate risk." Cities were advised to shelter in place as a precaution, officials said.

According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Benzene is made mostly from petroleum and is used to make Styrofoam, synthetic fibers, rubbers and pesticides, among other substances.

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Risks of benzene exposure fluctuates depending on the concentration. Short-term health effects of concentrated exposure include dizziness, nausea, headaches, drowsiness, tremors and loss of consciousness, according to a report from the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services.

Map of the Deer Park ITC fire The tank with the fire symbol over it is believed to be the one where the fire started. The areas highlighted in red are where the fire is believed to have spread. The purple markers are tanks containing Pygas, which is the source of benzene. The blue X markers were empty tanks. The black marker shows where the containment dike breached on Friday afternoon. Created by: Ken Ellis

Continuing exposure can lead to "permanent suppression of bone marrow functioning so that few new blood cells are formed, a condition known as aplastic anemia," the report said.

Other chemicals that burned in the fire include Naphtha and Xylene, two components used in gasoline. The fire eventually spread to more tanks, one of which was storing Toluene, a chemical used in nail polish remover, glues and paint thinner.

The fire affected up to eight tanks at one time. While air quality levels were listed as "good" or "moderate" in the Houston area for much of the fire, health officials warn of side effects from exposure to these chemicals.

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Naphtha can irritate the nose and throat when breathed, and poisonous gases are produced when naphtha is exposed to fire, according to earlier reports in the Houston Chronicle.

Luke Metzger, executive director of the environmental advocacy group Environment Texas, previously told the Chronicle that Naphtha can cause headaches, dizziness nausea and vomiting in the short term. Long-term side effects include risk of cancer and risk to the nervous system, he said.

Xylene exposure produces similar side effects, including including headaches, dizziness, confusion and change in one's sense of balance, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease registry.

Exposure to Xylene at very high levels can cause unconsciousness and, in some cases, death, according to the registry.

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Toluene's short-term side effects also include confusion, headaches and dizziness. Weakness, memory loss and nausea can also occur, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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In the long-term, Toluene can cause brain damage, as well as damage to the kidneys and liver. Read more about the side effects here.

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Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.