UPDATED:
On the afternoon of May 5, 2023, EPA Region 6 response
center was notified of a fire at 5900 Highway 225 at the Shell Deer Park
Facility. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), EPA, and local
agencies, including those from Deer Park, Houston, Harris County, and the Shell
facility emergency crews, responded to the fire. Shell reported the unit on
fire was the Olefins 3 Unit which produces ethylene.
Although the fire was contained hours later, it reignited at
about 4:15 pm on May 6 due to residue in the concrete containment area. This
fire was extinguished around 8:00 pm on May 7. EPA and technical assistance
contractors were re-mobilized on May 6 and remained in close coordination with TCEQ
to supplement and support the agencies’ response.
Emergency air monitoring was conducted as part of the
emergency response. EPA and TCEQ conducted air monitoring of Volatile Organic
Compounds (VOCs), including Benzene. Six measurements above the detection limit
of 0.1 parts per million (ppm) of total VOCs were detected. This area is
routinely monitored for air pollution by TCEQ, EPA, and the facility. The
Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH) and TCEQ conducted
community air monitoring, including the utilization of TCEQ’s air monitoring
vans.
Visit the Texas Commission Environment Department's Shell
Fire, Deer Park Emergency Response web site: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/response/shell-pemex-deer-park
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