A Texas chemical plant is in critical condition as a result of Hurricane Harvey and is at risk of fire and, potentially, an explosion, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.
The Arkema site in Crosby, Texas, has been shut down since Friday because of Harvey, and the company says chemical refrigeration has been compromised due to high water. There are about 3,800 people and 1,300 households within a three-mile radius of Arkema, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and the company says the "potential for a chemical reaction leading to fire and/or explosion within the site confines is real."
"In order to ensure the safety of our ride-out team, all personnel have been evacuated from the site at this time," company officials stated in a press release.
Arkema makes organic peroxides used by the plastics and rubber industries, and the plant's chemical inventory includes acetone, benzoyl chloride, chlorodifluromethane, cumene, cumene hydroperpoxide, DI(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, ethybenzene, ethylene glycol, hydrochloric acid, mercury, methyl ethylketone, n-hexane, sodium hydroxide, sodium sulfate, sulfuric acid and butyl alcohol.
If the materials are not kept at low temperatures they can combust.
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