GALENA PARK, Texas – Local and emergency officials said a clean-up is in progress after a chemical spill at the Texmark Chemicals, Inc. facility in Galena Park Thursday.
The spill happened around 2:15 a.m. at the company’s facility on Clinton Drive near Holland Avenue, authorities said.
Galena Park mayor Esmeralda Moya issued a statement about the spill that said in part:
“Product was spilled on the ground and some of the product entered Panther Creek. Currently, there are no threats to the public and their Environmental clean-up team is on-site starting clean-up. There are no injuries and no threats to the public at this time.”
Company officials said 100 gallons of the chemical dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) were spilled and warned that a sheen was detected on the surface of Panther Creek. There were no injuries reported.
Dicyclopentadiene appears as a liquid with an acrid odor, according to the National Center for Biotechnology Information. The vapors are irritating to the eyes and respiratory system. The chemical is used in paints, varnishes, as an intermediate in insecticides and as a flame retardant in plastics.
Moya said the Galena Park Fire Department as well as units from Harris County Hazardous Materials Team and Harris County Pollution Control were on the scene.
Officials said containment of the sheen from the dicyclopentadiene has started.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.