HOUSTON — One person died Thursday and several others were injured after a hydrogen sulfide release at the PEMEX facility in Deer Park, according to officials.
Deer Park Office of Emergency Management said the incident was contained to the PEMEX facility and there was no threat to the community.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said at least one person had died, another person was taken to an area hospital via Life Flight and several others were injured.
It’s unclear if those who were injured were workers at the facility.
PEMEX said it was performing activities that may cause flaring.
Due to the chemical release, the City of Deer Park issued a shelter-in-place for all residents. City officials said they were having issues with their alert system, so some residents might not be getting notifications. They told people to go inside, close all windows and doors, turn off the air conditioner and wait for the all-clear to be issued.
Please stay indoors, close all windows, doors, turn off the air-conditioner, and wait until an all clear has been released.Our emergency notification system is experiencing technical difficulties with CodeRED. Some resident may not receive notifications. (2/2) pic.twitter.com/W8k5HMTc6M
— DeerParkOEM (@deerparkoem) October 11, 2024
The City of Pasadena issued a shelter-in-place for areas north of Spencer Highway within city limits.
#ALERT//🚨Due to a Hydrogen Sulfide release at the SHELL PEMEX Facility in Deer Park, the Pasadena Fire Department has issued a SHELTER-IN-PLACE for ALL AREAS NORTH OF SPENCER HIGHWAY IN PASADENA CITY LIMITS. (1/2)
— City of Pasadena TX #pasadenatxgov (@pasadenatxgov) October 10, 2024
La Porte city officials issued this statement:
“At this time there is no impact inside the La Porte city limits. The City’s Office of Emergency Management is monitoring the situation and is in contact with these cities.”
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo issued this statement via X:
See statement from County Judge Lina Hidalgo: pic.twitter.com/Gw0HAOr9RV
— Office of Judge Lina Hidalgo (@HarrisCoJudge) October 11, 2024
What is hydrogen sulfide?
Hydrogen sulfide is a flammable, colorless gas that smells like rotten eggs, according to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. It occurs naturally in crude petroleum, natural gas, volcanic gasses and hot springs. It can also result from bacterial breakdown of organic matter.
It’s also created in your mouth and digestive tract during the digestion of food containing vegetable or animal proteins.
It’s primarily used during the production of sulfur and sulfuric acid.
How can it affect your health?
The respiratory tract and nervous system are the most sensitive targets of hydrogen sulfide toxicity.
Exposure to low concentrations can irritate the eyes, nose or throat. It can also cause breathing issues for people with asthma. It can cause headaches, poor memory, tiredness and balance problems.
Exposure to high concentrations can cause loss of consciousness, and in some cases, respiratory distress or arrest.