Search

Explosion Risk Prompts Evacuation Near Texas Chemical Plant

Posted on 8/30/2017 by Roger Marks

UPDATE 08/31/17, 9:09 AM ET: Early this morning, emergency crews reported black smoke and fire at the Arkema organic peroxides plant in Crosby, TX. Those in the 1.5 mile evacuation area are being warned to stay away, as the risk of additoinal explosions and fires remains. Read Arkema's official statement here. 

An evacuation order is in place for all residents within 1.5 miles of the Arkema chemical manufacturing plant in northeast Crosby, Texas. The facility is located in the 18000 block of Crosby Eastgate Road.

The Crosby plant—where the company manufactures organic peroxides—has been without electricity since Sunday due to high water from hurricane Harvey.

Thermally unstable due to weak oxygen bonds in their molecular structure, organic peroxides must be stored at low temperatures in order to prevent decomposition and combustion. While a team of employees worked quickly and diligently to transfer product to diesel-powered refrigerated containers, at this time high water has compromised some of those back-up containers.  

This leaves Arkema with few, if any, options for further preventing a catastrophic incident—until Harvey relents.

Read Arkema’s statement here.

The Harris County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (OHSEM) is providing updates via social media (@ReadyHarris) for those impacted by the storm. 
 

Tags: chemicals, emergency, Harvey, hurricane

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

If I need thorough training or updating, I always use Lion. Lion is always the best in both instruction and materials.

Bryce Parker

EHS Manager

Very well structured, comprehensive, and comparable to live training seminars I've participated in previously. I will recommend the online course to other colleagues with training requirement needs.

Neil Luciano

EHS Manager

The training was impressive. I am not a fan of online training but this was put together very well. I would recommend Lion to others.

Donnie James

Quality Manager

Amazing instructor; real-life examples. Lion training gets better every year!

Frank Papandrea

Environmental Manager

Well designed and thorough program. Excellent summary of requirements with references. Inclusion of regulations in hard copy form, as well as full electronic with state pertinent regulations included is a great bonus!

Oscar Fisher

EHS Manager

The instructor was very patient and engaging - willing to answer and help explain subject matter.

Misty Filipp

Material Control Superintendent

I like the consistency of Lion workshops. The materials are well put together and instructors are top notch!

Kevin Pylka

Permitting, Compliance & Environmental Manager

Lion's training was by far the best online RCRA training I've ever taken. It was challenging and the layout was great!

Paul Harbison

Hazardous Waste Professional

These are the best classes I attend each year. I always take something away and implement improvements at my sites.

Kim Racine

EH&S Manager

More thorough than a class I attended last year through another company.

Troy Yonkers

HSES Representative

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

A guide to developing standard operating procedures, or SOPs, that help you select, manage, and audit your hazmat agents and contractors.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.