On Wednesday, March 22, 2023, an explosion occurred at a plant in Pasadena, Texas. According to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, at least one person was injured in the blast and taken to a local hospital.
Local news broadcasts showed the aftermath of the explosion. Large plumes of black smoke could be seen coming from the Ineos Plant off Highway 225. The facility is owned by Ineos Phenol. According to reports a pipeline exploded.
The Pasadena Ineos Phenol plant produces Cumene, an organic compound used in products like herbicides, pesticides, and cleaning products. Overexposure to Cumene causes skin and eye irritation and may cause headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and even unconsciousness with short-term inhalation, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Safety is of the utmost importance in the chemical industry, and the occurrence of an explosion in a plant only brings to light the dangers that employees are exposed to every day. Companies refining such highly flammable chemicals have to be extremely cautious with their operations. This and other recent events stand as a reminder to those who live and work in or near the petrochemical industry of the importance of safety measures. The number of petrochemical explosions and fires in recent years stands as a reminder of the importance of safety-related measures within the refining and petrochemical industry.
If you or someone you know has suffered due to a petrochemical explosion or fire, contact an experienced attorney at Abraham, Watkins, Nichols, Agosto, Aziz & Stogner by calling 713-222-7211 or toll-free at 1-800-870-9584.