Deer Park, Tx – Following a release of chemicals at the PEMEX facility in Deer Park, several surrounding residents sought medical treatment, according to Houston attorney Ryan Zehl.
“They started experiencing headaches, nausea, irritation, shortness of breath, symptoms typically associated with hydrogen sulfide poisoning,” Zehl said. “And so, they went to go get medical treatment and it turned out they were diagnosed with hydrogen sulfide poisoning.”
Zehl said he is representing six people form the surrounding neighborhood and he is also speaking with contractors working in the facility at the time of the release.
“What we know so far is that a valve opened that shouldn’t have opened and released hydrogen sulfide,” Zehl said.
According to an air emission event report filed with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, 43,500 pounds of hydrogen sulfide were emitted. According to TCEQ, the regulatory emission limit is 6.89 pounds per hour. The TCEQ report also shows 29,276 pounds of sulfur dioxide emitted, which has an emission limit of 1,770.47 pounds per hour.
TCEQ records show a total of 14 air emission event reported at the PEMEX facility in Deer Park since 2022.
Two people died, and according, PEMEX 13 people were hospitalized in Thursday’s incident. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez also reported 35 people were treated at the facility.
PEMEX took over sole ownership of the facility in 2021 after being involved in a joint venture with Shell. The PEMEX facility is adjacent to the Shell chemical facility, which experienced an explosion and fire in 2023.
Zehl recently settled a lawsuit with Shell regarding that fire.