2 Workers Dead, Dozens Injured After Chemical Release at Houston-Area Facility

DEER PARK (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Two workers died and at least 35 were injured after a toxic chemical was released at the Pemex facility in Deer Park outside Houston on Thursday.

Harris County emergency management officials said the hydrogen sulfide release happened just before 5 p.m. and was contained to the facility.

The City of Deer Park issued a shelter-in-place order at 7 p.m. Deer Park Mayor Jerry Moulton Junior told residents the order had been lifted around 9:30 p.m.

“We have confirmation from our air monitoring sources that there’s been no detectible or reportable narratives. With that said, we do know there’s still going to be some remnants of odor in the air,” he said at a Thursday evening press conference.

At this time, Harris County Pollution Control, Harris County Hazmat, and CTEH are reporting no hazardous chemicals within the community.

Deer Park has lifted the Shelter-in-Place. We are aware of the odor but there is no hazard to the community. Thank you for your patience. pic.twitter.com/0vOOHk5oX4
— DeerParkOEM (@deerparkoem) October 11, 2024

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas with a rotten egg smell that is extremely flammable and very toxic.

Investigators are working to determine what led to the chemical leak.