HOUSTON, Oct 10 (Askume) – Two people were killed and five others were injured in a chemical leak at Pemex’s 312,500 barrel-a-day Deer Park refinery in Texas on Thursday, officials said.
A contractor working at the refinery is believed to have opened a pipeline containing hydrogen sulphide and died after inhaling the deadly gas, two people familiar with the refinery’s operations said on condition of anonymity.
The sheriff’s office confirmed one person was killed, one person was transported by LifeFlight and several others were injured.
The leak was reported at about 4:40 a.m. Central Daylight Time (2140 GMT), prompting emergency plans to be activated and coking and hydrotreating units to be immediately shut down, Pemex said in a statement.
According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), hydrogen sulfide is a byproduct used or generated in industrial processes, including petroleum production and refining.
Hydrogen sulfide gas can cause a variety of health problems, depending on the amount inhaled and the duration of exposure. According to OSHA, inhaling extremely high concentrations can cause immediate death.
“The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office and Harris County Pollution Services are monitoring air quality at the site and providing assistance,” Harris County Executive Lena Hidalgo said in a statement posted on Twitter.
The city of Deer Park issued a shelter-in-place order for all residents. A state highway south of the refinery was closed as part of the shelter-in-place order.
Earlier in the day, Pemex said it was conducting activities that could cause a fire.
