2 people hospitalized, over 30 treated after sulfuric acid leak at industrial facility in east Harris County, HCSO says

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A sulfuric acid leak at an industrial plant in east Harris County sent two people to the hospital and led to dozens more being treated, according to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said the incident began around 2 a.m. at the BWC facility when a catwalk structure collapsed onto a 6-inch sulfuric acid supply line at the industrial plant near Channelview.

The Channelview Fire Department, which is leading the hazmat response, said crews were sent to the 16300 block of Jacintoport Boulevard.

The sheriff’s office said two people with breathing problems were taken to the hospital, and about 40 people from two ships docked at the San Jacinto Port were checked at the scene.

The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office said it was also on the scene and monitoring air quality after several reports of people feeling sick and having trouble breathing.

Images from the scene showed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality arriving too.

The sheriff’s office said there was no danger to the public because the leak was limited to the industrial area, so a shelter-in-place order was not needed.

Deputies said the Houston Ship Channel remained open, but some nearby roads were closed to let emergency vehicles get through.

Investigators said chemical spills like this are rare, but the companies involved have “some of the best” hazmat teams to handle such situations.

Deputies told Eyewitness News the leak was stopped a little after 6 a.m.

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