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More than 40 people required medical treatment over the weekend after a pipeline rupture released more than 1 million gallons of highly corrosive sulfuric acid at the BWC Terminals plant near Channelview in East Harris County.
Catwalk Fell Onto Sulfuric Acid Supply Line
Hazmat crews were called to the BWC Terminals facility, located in the 6300 block of Jacintoport Boulevard, at approximately 1:40 a.m. on Saturday, December 27th. According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, the chemical release occurred when a catwalk fell onto a 6-inch sulfuric acid supply line, causing it to rupture.
Two people with breathing problems were taken to a nearby hospital and later released. At least 44 others were treated at the scene, including people from two ships docked at the San Jacinto Port.
According to a statement later issued by BWC Terminals, while the majority of sulfuric acid was released into the facility’s designated containment area, an unknown amount did make its way into the Houston Ship Channel
“Because this leak is going into the ship channel, that means the sulfuric acid is diluting with the water,” Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo told media outlets on Saturday. “… The question is, will we see aquatic life affected? Right now, there are no sightings of dead fish, for example. But we will keep looking.
What to Know About Sulfuric Acid Exposure
The facility in East Harris County is one of 22 that BWC Terminals operates in the United States and Canada, and primarily handles hydrocarbons, petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, acids, base oils, biodiesel, ethanol and glycols. According to BWC’s website, the site houses 33 carbon-steel tanks ranging in size from 15,000 to 30,000 barrels, with a total capacity of 1 million barrels.
A highly corrosive chemical used in petroleum refining, chemical manufacturing, and metal processing, sulfuric acid can cause serious injury even with brief exposure. During accidental releases, such as the one that occurred at the BWC Terminals plant on Saturday, injuries may result from inhaling acid mist or from direct contact with the liquid, with severity depending on the amount and manner of exposure. Short-term impacts include:
- Breathing problems, such as coughing, throat and nose irritation, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Exposure to higher concentrations can cause chemical burns to the lungs, with symptoms that may worsen hours after exposure.
- Eye injuries, including severe pain, redness, blurred vision, and burns to the cornea, can result in partial or permanent vision loss.
- Skin burns, ranging from irritation and blistering to deep chemical burns that can continue to worsen after contact.
- Gastrointestinal injuries (if swallowed), including burns to the mouth, throat, and stomach, as well as nausea and vomiting.
Over the long term, exposure to sulfuric acid may also lead to:
- Chronic respiratory conditions, such as ongoing lung irritation, bronchitis, and reduced lung capacity.
- Permanent scarring of the skin or eyes following severe chemical burns.
- Dental erosion caused by repeated exposure to sulfuric acid mist.
- Lasting lung damage, in cases involving significant inhalation exposure.
Because respiratory symptoms don’t always appear immediately, people exposed to sulfuric acid may need to be monitored or treated for delayed breathing complications or chemical burn injuries in the hours or days following an incident.
What To Do After the BWC Terminals Sulfuric Acid Release
After a serious incident like the BWC Terminals sulfuric acid release, companies and their insurers move quickly to escape accountability and avoid paying injured victims all that they are owed. If you or a loved one were hurt in this incident, you’ll need to move just as quickly and deliberately to secure the maximum compensation possible for all of your injuries and losses.
- Get medical care immediately, even if you feel fine or your symptoms appear mild. Getting checked out will ensure any injuries you did sustain are treated appropriately and creates a record connecting them to the release.
- Continue follow-up care with a doctor of your choosing. If you need ongoing monitoring or treatment, remember you are not required to rely only on doctors paid by BWC Terminals.
- Document everything you remember about the incident as soon as possible. Write down where you were when the release occurred, how long you were in the area, what you experienced at the time, and when symptoms began.
- Keep copies of all medical records and related expenses. This includes hospital discharge paperwork, follow-up visit notes, prescriptions, diagnostic testing, and receipts for out-of-pocket costs.
- Preserve physical evidence when possible. Clothing worn during the incident or protective gear in your possession should not be laundered or altered in any way. Save them in a clean plastic bag so they can be provided to your attorney.
- Save all communications related to the release. This includes emails, text messages, incident reports, safety notices, or written statements from employers, vessel operators, BWC Terminals, or any other company involved.
- Do not accept early settlement offers or payments without understanding what rights you may be giving up. The full effects of your exposure might not yet be apparent, and you’ll likely be required to surrender any future rights to sue those responsible if you accept an offer right away.
- Be careful about giving statements or signing paperwork for the company or its insurers. You are not required to give recorded statements or sign incident reports simply because you are asked, and it’s best not to do so before speaking to a lawyer.
- Contact an experienced plant accident attorney. A lawyer with a successful history representing clients injured in connection with chemical accidents and releases will ensure all critical evidence is preserved, know how to counter the tactics companies and their insurers use to escape accountability, and help you avoid mistakes that could prevent you from obtaining full compensation for all of your injuries and losses.
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Our undefeated Houston Plant Accident Lawyers are investigating the BWC Terminals sulfuric acid release, and we’ll post an update if new information becomes available.
Having won billions, including record-setting verdicts and settlements in connection with the worst plant, refinery, and pipeline accidents in recent history, we have the resources, knowledge and experience to win against the largest corporations in Texas and the United States.
If you or a loved one were affected by Saturday’s sulfuric acid release in East Harris County, please call 1-888-603-3636 or send us a confidential email through our Contact Us page. We’ll answer all of your questions, explain your legal rights and options, and provide all of the information you need to make the best decision for yourself and your family.
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