An early morning explosion at a refinery in southeast Texas has sent three workers to a local hospital. Initial reports indicate that one worker was transported to a Houston hospital with a burn injury but the other two workers were being treated relatively minor injuries and were expected to be treated and released by a local hospital.
The explosion occurred shortly after 1:00 am at the TPC Group facility in Port Neches. According to local officials the blast shattered windows and caused minor structural damage to homes and buildings within a radius of several miles. However, the explosion and subsequent fire released a cloud of oily black smoke and residents in the area are reporting that a black debris has been observed floating in ponds and a river near the plant. Area residents were advised not to touch the unidentified material.
The chemical plant involved in the explosion is owned by the TPC Group and, according to the company’s website, produces “… a diverse range of quality products to chemical and petroleum-based companies worldwide.” Chemicals processed and produced by the plant include butadiene, butene and carbon tetrachloride (“CC4”), all of which are known to be hazardous to humans.
CC4 is classified as a carcinogen, a substance that is known to cause cancers involving the liver and kidneys in those exposed to its vapor on a long term basis. Acute exposure to the chemical can affect the body’s central nervous system and could lead to liver and kidney damage as well as coma and even death. If CC4 is exposed to high temperature, it can produce phosgene, a deadly chemical agent that was included in chemical warfare weapons produced in the Cold War Era. Phosgene affects the central nervous system and can cause paralysis, convulsions, and respiratory failure in those coming into contact with the substance.
Chemical plant explosions can be deadly. In addition to the local dangers of fire and explosion at a plant site, residents living downwind or downstream are often exposed to vapors and industrial chemicals in the smoke released in chemical plant fires. Many such fires release chemicals into the local environment that are known to cause cancer, liver, kidney and central nervous system damage. Long term (several years) exposure to such chemicals can cause a number of related diseases, even if victims live miles away from these chemical plants. At The Doan Law Firm, we have successfully represented clients who were injured in chemical plant explosions and by exposure to the gases that are released into the environment.
If you were injured in a chemical plant explosion or suspect that you are a victim of long term exposure to toxins released by a chemical plant in its normal day-to-day operations, we invite you to contact the chemical plant explosion and toxic chemical exposure lawyer at The Doan Law Firm, a national personal injury law practice with offices located throughout the country.
When you contact our firm, your case review and first consultation is always free of any charges. After consulting our firm, if you decide that a lawsuit should be filed and that you would like for us to act as your legal counsel, we are willing to assume full responsibility for the expenses of preparing your case for trial in court in exchange for a percentage of the final settlement that we will win for you.