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Hydrogen Sulfide Leak-Louisiana
CHALMETTE, La. (AP) - At least 38 people were treated Wednesday
night for symptoms ranging from vomiting to dizziness after a
ChevronTexaco plant released a poisonous gas into the air.
The plant's warning sirens sounded shortly before 6 p.m., the
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office said, and the company handled
the incident and quickly contained the leak of hydrogen sulfide
gas.
"The concentrations that came across the river weren't that
great," said St. Bernard Parish Fire Department Chief Thomas
Stone.
Residents of Belle Chasse, where the plant is located, were
apparently unaffected by the gas because winds swept it northeast
to Chalmette. People there began arriving at the Chalmette Medical
Center, complaining of nausea, vomiting, dizziness and shortness of
breath. The hospital had to call in extra personnel to deal with
the flood of patients in the emergency room, officials said.
The leak was caused when a sulfur recovery unit tripped offline,
causing the vent system to go on pressure, releasing the hydrogen
sulfide, ChevronTexaco officials said in a news release.
An investigation team is looking into the cause of the leak, the
company said.
The Chevron Oronite Oak Point Plant produces blended fuel and
lubricant additives. Chevron officials did not immediately return
calls seeking comment Wednesday night.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
night for symptoms ranging from vomiting to dizziness after a
ChevronTexaco plant released a poisonous gas into the air.
The plant's warning sirens sounded shortly before 6 p.m., the
Plaquemines Parish Sheriff's Office said, and the company handled
the incident and quickly contained the leak of hydrogen sulfide
gas.
"The concentrations that came across the river weren't that
great," said St. Bernard Parish Fire Department Chief Thomas
Stone.
Residents of Belle Chasse, where the plant is located, were
apparently unaffected by the gas because winds swept it northeast
to Chalmette. People there began arriving at the Chalmette Medical
Center, complaining of nausea, vomiting, dizziness and shortness of
breath. The hospital had to call in extra personnel to deal with
the flood of patients in the emergency room, officials said.
The leak was caused when a sulfur recovery unit tripped offline,
causing the vent system to go on pressure, releasing the hydrogen
sulfide, ChevronTexaco officials said in a news release.
An investigation team is looking into the cause of the leak, the
company said.
The Chevron Oronite Oak Point Plant produces blended fuel and
lubricant additives. Chevron officials did not immediately return
calls seeking comment Wednesday night.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)