From USA Today, Oct 11, 2024 At least two people are dead, and nearly three dozen others suffered injuries after a chemical leak at an oil refinery Thursday, prompting a shelter-in-place order for two East Texas cities, officials said.
The leak took place at Pemex Deer Park, about 18 miles east of Houston, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said.
Also the local news station reported: Following a release of chemicals at the PEMEX facility in Deer Park, several surrounding residents sought medical treatment, according to Houston attorney Ryan Zehl.
“They started experiencing headaches, nausea, irritation, shortness of breath, symptoms typically associated with hydrogen sulfide poisoning,” Zehl said. “And so, they went to go get medical treatment and it turned out they were diagnosed with hydrogen sulfide poisoning.”
Zehl said he is representing six people form the surrounding neighborhood and he is also speaking with contractors working in the facility at the time of the release.
“What we know so far is that a valve opened that shouldn’t have opened and released hydrogen sulfide,” Zehl said.
This last statement shows the peril of storing massive amounts of deadly hazardous materials. In addition to natural disasters, accidents and sabotage threats, a simple mistake can kill. And HF is far more deadly than the hydrogen sulfide in this event.
Torrance Refinery Action Alliance 