Undefeated Houston Plant Injury Lawyers
Our Chemical Plant Injury Lawyers filed a lawsuit on behalf of contractors and nearby residents who developed symptoms associated with hydrogen sulfide exposure during Thursday’s Pemex chemical release.
The lawsuit comes just weeks after our firm successfully resolved cases against Shell on behalf of a number of contractors who were injured in the May 2023 explosion at the Shell Deer Park plant.
The catastrophic release of the highly poisonous gas caused the deaths of at least two workers at the Pemex refinery and injured nearly three dozen others.
Ryan Zehl Interviewed About Hydrogen Sulfide Injury Lawsuits Filed on Behalf of Contractors and Residents
Open Flange Suspected in Pemex Chemical Leak
According to media reports, the Pemex chemical release occurred at approximately 4:40 p.m. on Thursday, October 10th. Less than two hours later, Pemex reported that it had shut down the refinery’s 92,000-bpd coker and a hydrotreater in the aftermath of the incident.
Anonymous sources familiar with the Pemex refinery’s operations told Reuters that the deceased contractors had been killed when they opened a line containing hydrogen sulfide. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez later said a flange may have opened, releasing the gas. He also confirmed that 35 people had either been “transported or triaged at the scene” following their exposure to the gas.
Authorities have not identified either of the contractors killed in the Pemex chemical release nor have they released any details about the injured workers or their current condition.
However, Gonzalez did confirm that first responders had been unable to recover the workers’ remains, and it’s not yet known if anyone else had died in the incident. He noted that It could take more than 8 hours for the hydrogen sulfide gas to dissipate enough for crews to enter the unit safely.
About Pemex Deer Park
Although Deer Park emergency officials initially said the Pemex chemical leak was contained within the refinery, they later announced a shelter-in-place order for all city residents “out of precaution.” The order was lifted at 9:30 p.m.
Located at 5900 Highway 225, the Pemex Deer Park refinery is part of a complex jointly operated by Pemex, Mexico’s state-owned oil company, and Shell Oil Co., the U.S. subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell. Shell operates the petrochemical plant on the site, while Pemex is responsible for the refinery, which processes crude oil from several countries to produce a range of products, including gasoline, aviation fuel, diesel fuel and ship fuel.
An hour and a half after reporting the Pemex chemical leak, the refinery released the following statement:
“PEMEX Deer Park confirms that a gas release was reported at one of our operating units at 4:40 p.m. The incident is contained to our site and has been isolated. Members of our Emergency Response Team, Channel Industrial Mutual Aid (CIMA) and Harris County Emergency Management personnel and other government agencies are on site and responding to the situation.”
What is Hydrogen Sulfide?
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colorless, highly toxic gas known for a distinctive “rotten eggs” odor. While it forms naturally when organic matter breaks down in places like swamps and sewers, hydrogen sulfide is also an industrial byproduct associated with refining, oil and gas drilling operations, paper manufacturing, and wastewater treatment.
Exposure to hydrogen sulfide can have serious health consequences, particularly if the concentration in the air is high. Symptoms of acute exposure appear very quickly, ranging from mild to life-threatening, depending on the level of gas:
- Low to moderate concentrations (10-50 ppm): Short-term exposure to lower levels of hydrogen sulfide can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and respiratory system. Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, headache, dizziness, and nausea. Some people may experience temporary loss of smell, which can be dangerous since its strong odor is the primary warning that hydrogen sulfide is present.
- High concentrations (above 100 ppm): At higher concentrations, hydrogen sulfide becomes far more dangerous. Inhalation of 100 ppm or more can lead to severe symptoms such as shock, convulsions, inability to breathe, unconsciousness, and even death. In fact, concentrations over 300 ppm can cause respiratory paralysis, leading to death within minutes.
- Extremely high concentrations (above 500 ppm): In extreme cases, exposure to hydrogen sulfide at levels exceeding 500 ppm can result in sudden loss of consciousness, respiratory failure, coma, and death. This rapid deterioration is often referred to as “knockdown,” as many victims collapse and die before they even recognize that they’re in danger.
Prolonged or repeated exposure to lower levels of hydrogen sulfide can also cause various long-term health problems, including:
- Neurological effects: Prolonged exposure to even low levels of hydrogen sulfide has been linked to neurological symptoms, including memory loss, cognitive decline, and impaired motor function. Some studies suggest that long-term exposure may also lead to mood disorders like depression and anxiety.
- Respiratory problems: Continuous inhalation of hydrogen sulfide can result in chronic respiratory conditions, including bronchitis, persistent coughing, and difficulty breathing. Over time, it may exacerbate pre-existing lung conditions such as asthma.
- Ocular irritation: Individuals exposed to hydrogen sulfide for extended periods may suffer from chronic eye irritation, leading to redness, burning, and, in some cases, vision problems.
- Cardiovascular effects: While less common, there is some evidence that chronic exposure to low levels of hydrogen sulfide could contribute to cardiovascular issues, including irregular heartbeats or increased blood pressure.
Injured in the Pemex Chemical Release? Call 1-888-603-3636 for a Free Consult.
Our Undefeated Houston Refinery Accident Lawyers are monitoring developments related to the Pemex chemical release and will continue to post updates as new information becomes available.
In addition to being undefeated, our attorneys have won billions — including Record-Breaking Verdicts and Settlements — for thousands of people injured or tragically killed in the worst industrial explosions and disasters in recent history, including workers injured in the Shell Deer Park plant explosion in May 2023.
If you or a loved one were hurt in the Pemex hydrogen sulfide release in Deer Park, please call 1-888-603-3636 or Click Here to send us a confidential email via our “Contact Us” form.
Consultations are always free, and you won’t owe us anything unless we win your case.