On October 10, 2024, a chemical leak occurred at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery located at 5900 Highway 225, Deer Park, Texas. An hour and a half after the release, PEMEX released the following statement:
“PEMEX Deer Park confirms that a gas release was reported at one of our operating units at 4:40 p.m. The incident is contained to our site and has been isolated. Members of our Emergency Response Team, Channel Industrial Mutual Aid (CIMA) and Harris County Emergency Management personnel, and other government agencies are on site and responding to the situation.
It has now been confirmed that two people died and 35 more were injured as a result of hydrogen sulfide chemical exposure due to the release.
The Harris County Sheriff has confirmed that it is believed that a flange may have opened, releasing the gas that resulted in the chemical exposure killing two and injuring thirty-five more.
What is Hydrogen Sulfide?
Hydrogen sulfide is a flammable, colorless gas known for its rotten egg stench. It is also known as H2S, sewer gas, swamp gas, stink damp, and sour damp. It occurs naturally in crude petroleum, natural gas, volcanic gases, and hot springs.
Hydrogen sulfide is used or produced in a number of industries, such as
- Oil and gas refining
- Mining
- Tanning
- Pulp and paper processing
- Rayon manufacturing
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), hydrogen sulfide caused 46 worker deaths between 2011 and 2017 and is one of the leading causes of workplace inhalation fatalities in the United States. High exposures are deadly but even short-term exposures can be harmful to your health.
Lack of Communication Caused Confusion for Area Residents
Harris County officials are condemning the lack of communication surrounding the plant accident at the PEMEX refinery. They did not have a spokesperson prepared to address officials and the media. To make matters worse, The City of Deer Park Office of Emergency Management reported that they had “technical issues” with their CodeRED alert system. The CodeRED alert system is designed to send out time-sensitive messages to residents such as “severe weather warnings, evacuation notices, shelter-in-place notices, and missing child alerts.”
At least in part as a result of the lack of communication, SH 255 was shut down and the City of Deer Park and the City of Pasadena issued shelter-in-place orders while authorities tested the surrounding air that reeked of rotten eggs. These orders have since been lifted.
Who is PEMEX?
The PEMEX Deer Park Refinery is a part of PMI Services North America, Inc., a subsidiary of Petroleos Mexicanos, a/k/a Pemex. The PEMEX Refinery in Deer Park has a crude processing capacity of 340 thousand barrels per day. It produces gasoline, aviation fuels, diesel fuels, ship fuel, and petroleum coke, per the Greater Houston Port Bureau. The refinery in question is located less than 20 miles east of Houston between Pasadena and Baytown.
How to Get Help if You Were Injured
If you were an independent contractor working at the PEMEX plant and were injured by the hydrogen sulfide release at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery, talk to a Houston Industrial Plant Accident Lawyer to learn your rights. Unfortunately, employees are generally required to file under worker’s compensation because the Texas Worker’s Compensation Act prohibits suing your own employer over a workplace injury unless you can prove they were grossly negligent. The law firm of Simmons and Fletcher, P.C., has been helping accident and injury victims in Harris County and surrounding areas seek justice since 1979 for plant explosions and accidents. The consultation is 100% free and we charge you no attorney fees or attorney expenses unless we win your case.