La Porte, Texas —Eight people were taken to the hospital after an emergency chemical leak occurred at a factory in LaPorte on Monday, emergency officials announced.
According to officials, a malfunction at the Altevia chemical complex at 16th Street and Fairmont Parkway released the chemical phosgene, a colorless gas with a suffocating odor reminiscent of rotten hay. The company worked to contain the release soon after.
According to Judge Lina Hidalgo’s office, all of the patients transported were in stable condition at the time they left the facility but were sent to the hospital as a precaution. Officials have not provided an update on their current conditions at this time.
Eight people were transferred from Altevia due to exposure, and all were in stable condition at the time of leaving the facility. Emergency teams began to demobilize @HarrisCoPC He remains on site to carry out precautionary surveillance.
– Office of Judge Lina Hidalgo (@HarrisCoJudge) December 4, 2023
A city alert urged residents south of Fairmount between the Bay Area and S. 16th Street to immediately shelter in place after the crash. Officials asked those in the area to go to the nearest building to seek shelter, close all doors and windows, and turn off cooling or heating systems. The order was lifted at 1:16 p.m
The City of La Porte Fire Department along with Harris County Pollution Control confirmed that there were no immediately detectable amounts of hazardous products near the facility. Harris County Pollution Control will remain on site for precautionary monitoring.
Officials said there was no impact on any LPISD schools because they were not in the shelter area.
Those with non-emergency medical concerns that they believe are related to the incident can call the non-emergency dispatch line at 281-471-3810.
Exposure to phosgene can cause eye irritation, dry and burning throat, vomiting, cough, foamy phlegm, difficulty breathing, and chest pain; According to the questioner: frostbite. Workers may be harmed by exposure to phosgene Centers for Disease Control and Prevention He said.
About Altevia Chemical Complex
ALTIVIA was founded in 1986 as a producer of water treatment chemicals. According to the company websiteIt produces phosgene-derived feedstocks and operates the third-largest commercial production facility for phenol, acetone and alpha-methylstyrene (AMS) in the Americas.
Copyright 2023 KPRC Click2Houston – All Rights Reserved.
