MISSOURI CITY, Texas – Workers continue to clean up an oil well blowout in Missouri City that had residents worried Wednesday.
The blowout, which is an uncontrollable release of oil, was reported in the vicinity of Texas Parkway and the Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road, city officials said.
A worker told KPRC 2 that a crew was drilling for oil when it began to spew.
The odor impacted area communities, but is not considered dangerous, officials said.
Residents were asked to remain inside until the odor dissipated.
After four days, the foul smell of rotten eggs continues to linger in several areas, which leaves residents frustrated and demanding answers.
"First of all, what am I breathing in?" one resident asked.
Kyra Hardwick and Tanisha Green are neighbors that live in the Meadow Crest Subdivision -- about 3 miles north of the spill site.
"For us, it was really amplified yesterday when we got home. Probably about 9 p.m. when we noticed it. About 1 o'clock, we really couldn't even go in the house. It was absolutely inaccessible," Hardwick said.
Fort Bend County Emergency Management officials said it is unclear how long the cleanup will last and how long the scent of rotten eggs will linger, which is a concern for neighbors.
Officials said the spill wasn't an oil, but rather a chemical compound called hydrogen sulfide, a gas used at the site.
Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless gas and depending on the amount of its exposure, could be poisonous with a wide range of health effects.
" Depend on how much hydrogen sulfide you breathe and for how long," Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials said.
This map illustrates from where Channel 2 has received complaints.
It's the unknown that have residents worried about what to expect from the spill.
"As a precaution, we should have at least gotten notification. Received some type of notice, calls, something," Hardwick said.
"How much of it is un the air that I breath over the past 48-50 hours?" Green asked.
It is unclear what caused the well to malfunction.
The company listed in front of the oil well property is First Solid Energy Group Lp.
KPRC Channel 2 News reached out to the company for a statement, but has not heard back.