Following the extreme flooding of Hurricane Harvey, residents all over Houston have complained about an “unbearable” chemical smell. On Tuesday, ExxonMobil acknowledged that when two of its refineries were damaged hazardous pollutants were released into the air. However, it’s still unclear exactly what has caused the smell.
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“The company said in the filings that a floating roof covering a tank at ExxonMobil’s Baytown oil refinery sank in heavy rains, dipping below the surface of oil or other material stored there and causing unusually high emissions, especially of volatile organic compounds, a category of regulated chemicals.” 1
(Note: the company would not say what was in the tank and you KNOW they know.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgsD5nvHGew
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But it wasn’t just the Baytown refinery, Exxon’s Beaumont petrochemical refinery suffered a damaged sulfur thermal oxidizer (used to capture and burn sulfur dioxide) which led to the release of 1,312.84 pounds of sulfur dioxide, far surpassing permitted amounts. And that’s just ONE chemical- loads of others were emitted during plant shutdown.
“Most of the other facilities belonging to major companies also filed notices with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. Chevron Phillips, for example, said that it expected its Cedar Bayou chemical plant to exceed permitted limits for several hazardous pollutants, such as 1,3-butadiene, benzene and ethylene, during shutdown procedures.” 2
When chemicals like this are released it not only puts the environment at risk but animals and humans, as well. These chemicals are carcinogens and the sheer amount of pounds being let go increases the cancer risk for those living in and near the areas where the releases are.
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Stay safe everyone,
XO- Erin
