According to reports from ABC News and other US media outlets, a chemical leak occurred at Dow Chemical's plant in LaPorte, Texas, on July 21st. Due to the risk of air pollution and explosion, local emergency services ordered the immediate evacuation of residents within a half-mile (approximately 1.6 kilometers) radius.
Reports indicate that Dow Chemical reported the chemical leak to local authorities at 7:27 AM on the 21st. Around 8:30 AM, local emergency officials issued an evacuation alert. It is understood that the leak was caused by excessive pressure inside a storage tank at the plant, leading to a leak of hydroxyethyl acrylate from the tank valve. The tank truck also overheated, potentially causing an explosion.
Dow Chemical stated that hydroxyethyl acrylate is used in the manufacture of paints and adhesives and can cause severe skin burns, eye damage, and skin allergies.
Dow Chemical's Public Affairs Director, Stacey B. Gotterlow, issued a statement saying, "Based on monitoring data, there is no indication that this incident has caused any external impact. However, out of an abundance of caution, we evacuated our employees and will continue to work with the Emergency Preparedness Office to establish shelters in the area."
At a press conference that afternoon, local emergency officials explained that the chemical gas leak had stopped, but the chemicals had not been neutralized and may still be accumulating. In addition to the tanker truck that leaked, two nearby tanks were also at risk of explosion. Firefighters used water to cool the tanker truck.
Laporte Police Chief Steve Dildoff stated that at least one residential community was within the evacuation zone, with approximately 10 households, two of whom refused to evacuate. Students at an elementary school were also evacuated.
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