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

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

The instructor was energetic and made learning fun compared to dry instructors from other training providers.

Andy D’Amato

International Trade Compliance Manager

This training broke down the regulations in an easy-to-understand manner and made them less overwhelming. I now feel I have the knowledge to make more informed decisions.

Amanda Oswald

Shipping Professional

The instructor does a great job at presenting material in an approachable way. I have been able to save my company about $30,000 in the last year with what I have learned from Lion!

Curtis Ahonen

EHS&S Manager

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz

Environmental Coordinator

The price was reasonable, the time to complete the course was manageable, and the flexibility the online training allowed made it easy to complete.

Felicia Rutledge

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion does a great job summarizing and communicating complicated EH&S-related regulations.

Michele Irmen

Sr. Environmental Engineer

The instructor kept the class engaged and made learning fun. There was a lot of information to cover but time flew by. I will definitely use Lion in the future!

Chelsea Minguela

Hazmat Shipping Professional

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

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

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.