2 Dead, Dozens Injured in Acid Leak at LyondellBasell Facility in La Porte: Texas Officials

An acetic acid leak at a facility at the LyondellBasell close to La Porte, Texas caused the death of at least individuals and injured dozens of workers, officials stated Tuesday.

Chemical Facility Mishap

According to KHOU11, the La Porte Office of Emergency Management mentioned in their social media post that the leak has been isolated and based on their air monitoring at the perimeter of the facility, they have seen no sign of any offsite impact. The emergency response team from La Porte added that there is no shelter in place and no protective actions being recommended after the initial assessment of the situation.

Moreover, Rachel K. Neutzler, the spokeswoman of the Harris County Fire Marshal's Office, confirmed that there were two fatalities in the acid leak incident. Aside from the two fatalities at the scene, Neutzler stated that there were 35 people who suffered minor symptoms. Five individuals were transported to the hospital with more serious symptoms; two people are in critical condition and currently being monitored at the medical facility.

Based on the statement from LyondellBasell, at least four people suffered burns. The company also stated that all personnel of its had been accounted for. LyondellBasell's statement also mentioned earlier that there was "an acetic acid leak" at the facility.

Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen said during a news conference that the leak involved a chemical acid used in food-grade vinegar. Christensen stated that those individuals who were exposed to the chemical could be experiencing some irritations and burns to the skin. Exposure could also lead to difficulties in breathing and even swallowing.

Meanwhile, the fire marshal's office said that the investigation into what caused the acetic acid leak at the LyondellBasell is still ongoing. Investigators also confirmed that based on their initial investigation, there was no explosion or fire that happened at the facility.

Furthermore, the marshal's office said that their office turned the investigation over to the Harris County Precinct 8 Constable's Office, which would have jurisdiction in the incident.

On the other hand, the first report about the problem at the facility came in at around 7:30 p.m., La Porte's public information officer Lee Woodward shared. Woodward stated that LyondellBasell La Porte requested support from La Porte Emergency Management Services after a mass casualty incident at their facility.

Woodward also stated that the area where the facility is situated was in an unincorporated Harris County, which was next to the city of La Porte.

Based on their website, LyondellBasell specializes in plastics, chemicals and refining. The largest licensor of polyethylene and polypropylene technologies also updated on their website the situation at their facility.

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Written by Jess Smith

WATCH: 2 killed, dozens injured in an acid leak at LyondellBasell facility in La Porte, officials say - KHOU 11