Officials monitor environmental impact after sulfuric acid spill in Channelview

Roughly 1 million gallons of sulfuric acid spilled from an industrial facility east of Houston early Saturday, with some of the material reaching the Houston Ship Channel. Despite ongoing environmental monitoring, officials declared no need for evacuations and no immediate public health impacts.

Early Saturday, an estimated 1 million gallons of sulfuric acid were discharged from an industrial facility in Channelview, with an unknown quantity making its way into the Houston Ship Channel. This incident has led to air and water quality monitoring and an assessment of potential environmental consequences, according to local officials.

A spill took place at approximately 1:40 a.m. The spill occurred at approximately 1:40 a.m. after an elevated walkway collapsed, causing a pipeline rupture at a facility managed by BWC Terminals, as reported by Lina Hidalgo.

During a press conference on Saturday, Hidalgo announced the precautionary hospitalization and subsequent release of two individuals. A further 44 individuals received treatment at the scene and were subsequently released. There were no orders for evacuations.

Testing of air and water quality persisted throughout the day as a safety measure. Hidalgo reported that initial assessments indicated no immediate risk to public health; however, the environmental impact remains under assessment due to the presence of sulfuric acid in the Houston Ship Channel.

“We aim to provide reassurance to the community that we have carried out measurements and will continue to monitor the air quality in your area,” Hidalgo stated. “Fortunately, there has been no impact.”

BWC Terminals announced that the majority of the sulfuric acid had been successfully redirected to a designated containment area within the facility. Authorities have yet to provide an estimate regarding the volume of material that has entered the ship channel.

Sulfuric acid stands out as an exceptionally corrosive substance, capable of inflicting severe burns and provoking respiratory irritation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issues a stark warning that elevated exposure levels can lead to fatal consequences.

The spokesperson for the Channelview Fire Department stated that they "highly considered" an evacuation but ultimately decided it was unnecessary. Hidalgo pointed out that the vicinity lacks residential neighborhoods or recreational areas, and authorities have set up a secure perimeter around the site.

During the incident, two vessels were moored in the channel's impacted section. Hidalgo reported that both crews are safe and confirmed that the larger ship channel remains open to traffic.

“The leak is making its way into the ship channel, suggesting that the sulfuric acid is blending with the water,” Hidalgo stated. “The critical question at hand is whether aquatic life will be affected.” She noted that, as of Saturday, there had been no reports of dead fish; however, inspections would be ongoing.

Authorities have announced that monitoring and environmental surveillance efforts will persist in the upcoming days, with updates to be shared should conditions evolve.