HAZMAT cleanup update in Nederland

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  • A photo of the road block surrounding the chemical spill in Nederland.
    A photo of the road block surrounding the chemical spill in Nederland.
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City of Nederland emergency response crews are still monitoring a transport trailer that leaked its contents resulting in a HAZMAT cleanup operation and an awful odor that affected a wide area in Southeast Texas, with residents from adjacent cities complaining that they too could smell the spill.

On Dec. 12, the city of Nederland issued a press release warning citizens that Beauxart Garden Road was closed due to hazardous material leaking from a transport trailer located at Nederland Tank Wash. On Dec. 15, Nederland Tank Wash stated that the leak had been detected Dec. 11 at about 5 p.m. by staff who heard a hissing noise coming from the trailer.

The product leaking from the trailer has been identified as Lubrizol 1389, a mineral oil blend that was producing low levels of hydrogen sulfide gas, according to the city. City Manager Chris Duque told The Examiner last week that the tank wash facility had hired air monitoring firm Center for Toxicology & Environmental Health (CTEH), and Pulido Transport, the owner of the trailer, had since taken leadership of the cleanup operation.

CTEH, which is also reportedly still in the city performing tests, has stated in subsequent news releases following the leak that the community is safe from the potentially lethal gas, in spite of the noxious pervading odor nearby residents say still remains. According to CTEH, monitoring performed on Dec. 12-13 did not detect sulfur-based compounds in the community and although residents could smell the rotten egg stench associated with those chemical compounds, “These low concentrations do not represent a public health risk to the community.”

On Dec. 22, the company made a similar statement, indicating there was no danger to the community in spite of the lingering odor, which has diminished over the last week.

Initially, residents who had questions about the cleanup were directed to call a “helpline” set up by Nederland Tank Wash, reported Nederland’s city manager on Dec. 15, and that the line would eventually be utilized for damage claims, as well. However, Duque later reported that the line has been shut down and no new phone contact for damage claims has been provided.

“At this time, the city is still waiting for information regarding a reporting system for damage claims,” he stated in a Dec. 21 news release. “The odor remediation of the Tank Wash site began last Wednesday. The next phase of the operation would result in the trailer being removed from the Tank Wash; at this time, the timeframe for this is still being defined. The trailer has passed a full DOT inspection and certification. Beauxart Garden Road re-opened last Friday.”

On Dec. 22, a news release from the city indicated that the trailer has been removed from Nederland Tank Wash.

“Lingering odors may remain and will take time to dissipate,” reads the 4 p.m. release. “TCEQ and the private air monitoring firm (CTEH) conducted air monitoring while the transport trailer was transported off-site. CTEH will continue to conduct air monitoring for six hours after the trailer’s transportation off-site.

“Following the trailer being transported off-site, emergency officials from the city have closed the operational period for this incident.”

Nederland Mayor Don Albanese also issued a statement Dec. 22, following the city’s separation from the incident.

“Today, the HAZMAT incident that began on December 12th ended with the trailer being transported off-site. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is investigating the incident, and the city awaits reviewing the information from their investigation. It our hope that the odors that impacted nearby homes and business dissipate as soon as possible.

“I want to thank the Nederland Fire Department, Nederland Police Department, Public Works Department and City Administration for their efforts responding to this incident,” said Albanese. “I want to acknowledge the leadership and efforts our Fire Chief/EMC (Terry) Morton through this incident.”

Visit the city of Nederland Facebook page, @CityofNederlandTX, for the latest updates on city events and statements.

 

– Sharon Brooks