Chemical Leaks From Flooded Arkema Plant In Texas

April 19, 2023 3:12 am33 commentsViews: 137

The flooded, damaged chemical plant in Crosby, Texas, US city of Houston is learned have released chemicals into the atmosphere.

A police officer involved in securing the site was hospitalized following chemical released from Arkema chemical plant as a precaution along with nine others.

However, a statement has come from the company saying the ten people inhaled a “non-toxic irritant,” and the smoke might be irritating to the eyes, skin and lungs.

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office too confirmed the same through a tweet.

It is also learned two explosions were heard at around 2 a.m. local time (3 a.m. ET) from the campus and plumes of black smoke was seen on Thursday.

The Arkema is located between Houston and Beaumont, and the exact cause of explosions is still not known though plant officials had earlier said chemical explosions could take place and probably may cause a fire resembling a large gasoline fire.

With the approach of Harvey the facility was shut down about a week ago and employees evacuated the campus and also all the residents living within 1.5 miles of it as a precaution. The plant was flooded under more than 5 feet.

With no power and refrigeration for some days the chemicals at the plant heated up and thereafter burned. This cause explosions.

Arkema’s CEO, president Rich Rowe said in a statement, “The high water and lack of power leave us with no way to prevent it.”

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