A massive chemical spill at an east Harris County industrial facility sent about 1 million gallons of sulfuric acid into containment areas and partially into the Houston Ship Channel early Saturday morning, authorities said. Two workers were hospitalized after the incident, which prompted a multi-agency emergency response.
The spill occurred around 1:40 a.m. at BWC Terminals on Jacintoport Boulevard when an overhead walkway collapsed onto a sulfuric acid line, rupturing a storage tank. The acid — used in industrial processes and highly corrosive — is considered hazardous to humans and the environment if not properly contained.
Harris County and federal officials, including the U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency, responded immediately. Two workers were treated for respiratory issues and released, while more than 40 others were evaluated at the scene, authorities said. Air quality monitoring showed no need for evacuation or shelter-in-place orders for nearby residents.
Officials said most of the acid remained in the facility’s containment area, though some leaked into the Houston Ship Channel. The channel remained open to commercial traffic, and no immediate environmental damage to aquatic life has been reported, authorities said.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and Harris County officials are monitoring the site and investigating the structural failure that led to the tank rupture.
Sulfuric acid exposure can cause severe irritation to eyes, skin, and the respiratory system. Large releases into waterways can alter pH levels, potentially harming aquatic life if not neutralized or diluted.
BWC Terminals officials have not yet commented publicly on the incident. Authorities said they will continue environmental monitoring and cleanup until the site is fully secured.