From staff reports An hours-long hydrogen sulfide leak that released more than 43,000 pounds of the toxic gas killed two contract workers Thursday at the Pemex petroleum refinery in Deer Park, Texas. The incident has come under investigation by a federal agency.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board said it has launched an investigation.
Two contract workers died in the incident and “nearly three dozen” others were transported to local medical facilities, The Associated Press reported Friday.
“This is a very serious incident that caused multiple fatalities and injuries and potentially put the surrounding community at risk,” said CSB Chairperson Steve Owens.
The release at the Pemex refinery, which is located about 18 miles east of Houston, also prompted a shelter-inplace order for two neighboring cities and temporarily closed a portion of Texas State Highway 225.
CSB board members are appointed by the president subject to senate confirmation. The board does not issue citations or fines but makes safety recommendations to companies, industry organizations, labor groups, and regulatory agencies such as Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.