A chemical leak at a La Porte plant has killed two people and left dozens of others with severe injuries late Tuesday.
Police were called to the LyondellBasell Industries over mass casualty reports just after 7:30 p.m.
Harris County officials revealed in a press conference that the leak involved acetic acid that was used in medical supplies and home kitchen vinegar produced at the plant.
Other than the two fatalities, 31 people were contaminated and received emergency treatment while a handful of others sustained injuries and were taken to a hospital.
“What occurred was a chemical type explosion, release, very small in the scale of it was just in the plant,” the Harris County Fire Office stated.
“It is a chemical acid used in food-grade vinegar. The issue that occurs is severe burns, harmful if swallowed, toxic if inhaled, and harmful to the skin.”
La Porte authorities insisted that the situation was under control and that there were no expected impacts on the community.
“More updates will come as needed. Again, no impacts to the community expected.”
