On October 6, 2005, the EPA was notified via the National Response Center (NRC)of an explosion at the Formosa Plastics facility in Point Comfort, Calhoun County, Texas (NRC# 775244). The report was called in by the facility at 1539 hrs CST. It has been reported that there were at least three explosions that had occurred at the facility. The first explosion occurred at approximately 3:05 pm at their olefin plant.
EPA OSC Moore was dispatched along with START 2 Contractors. Also, the ASPECT aircraft was mobilized to the incident.
The facility had the fire under control by the time EPA responders arrived at approximately 11:00 pm. The faciiity was attempting to determine their options to completely extinquish the fire but did not want to begin shutting valves that could result in additional problems until they completely understood the issue.
Company represtatives and the TCEQ conducted off-site air monitoring and sampling of the area. The air monitoring was non-detect. The EPA also conducted a limited amount of air monitoring downwind of the plume and also recorded non-detects.
The ASPECT aircraft that was deployed identified a release of ethylene, propylene, and 1,3 butidiene at concentrations below 4 ppm. These concentrations were reported at approximately 1830 hrs.
The current issues are the continuing plume, and the extent of containment of firewater. The PRP will be attempting to extinguish the fire once they can adequately determine the fuel source feeding the fire. The PRP has placed boom in Cox Creek and along some of the stormwater discharge locations.
The EPA and TCEQ will be monitoring the PRPs activites to insure that an adequate response is be conducted.
The EPA and TCEQ are working jointly to assess the impacts of the explosions and releases to the environment.
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