Source: https://www.actionnewsnow.com, May 12, 2019
By: Tammy Leitner
Crews are working to contain a massive chemical spill in Houston’s shipping channel. The channel is still partially closed. It is one of the world’s busiest waterways.
Salvage crews are scrambling to contain the mess.
The spill occurred on Friday when a tug boat pushing two barges collided with an oil tanker. One barge capsized. The other was damaged. It was carrying 25,000 barrels of a chemical called reformate. The chemical is found in gasoline and is extremely flammable. It can also be deadly to marine life and to humans, if swallowed.
People who live nearly are worried about the impact this could have on their health. Brittany Kelly lives two blocks from the channel and she says she is keeping her four kids and her dogs far, far away. She said her kids and her husband like to go fishing in the area.
Luis Marteniz is worried about his children and his pets and says he is not taking any chances. He explained that they are using bottled water. He said he and his wife are still traumatized by a chemical fire that occurred in bearly Deer Park less than two months ago.
Air monitoring in the area by the EPA and local government is continuous. Authorities have asked locals to call 9-1-1 if they experience health concerns, but they say so far they have not identified any health risks.