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

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

The instructor's energy, enthusiasm, and knowledge of the subject make the class a great learning experience!

Brian Martinez

Warehouse Operator

This course went above my expectations from the moment I walked in the door. The instructor led us through two days packed with useful compliance information.

Rachel Stewart

Environmental Manager

Lion courses always set the bar for content, reference, and practical application. Membership and access to the experts is an added bonus.

John Brown, CSP

Director of Safety & Env Affairs

Much better than my previous class with another company. The Lion instructor made sense, kept me awake and made me laugh!

Marti Severs

Enterprise Safety Manager

Lion courses are the standard to which all other workshops should strive for!

Brody Saleen

Registered Environmental Health Specialist

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

Misty Filipp

Material Control Superintendent

This is a very informative training compared to others. It covers everything I expect to learn and even a lot of new things.

Quatama Jackson

Waste Management Professional

My experience with Lion training, both online and in the classroom, is that they are far better organized and provide a better sequential explanation of the material.

Robert Roose

Manager, Dangerous Goods Transportation

Given the choice, I would do all coursework this way. In-person courses go very fast without the opportunity to pause or repeat anything.

Ellen Pelton

Chemical Laboratory Manager

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Decrease spill, release, and injury risk and increase savings with these "source reduction" strategies to prevent unused chemicals from becoming regulated as hazardous waste.

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.