Chairwoman Johnson Statement on La Porte TX Facility Chemical Leak

On Tuesday night, a facility in La Porte, Texas began leaking 100,000 pounds of acetic acid, killing two and sending 30 workers to the hospital. The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has deployed a team to the incident site. The CSB, tasked with investigating chemical incidents and relaying recommendations to industry and to and regulatory agencies, currently has a backlog of 19 site investigations. The chair of the CSB is currently the only member.

"My heart goes out to the loved ones of those lost in this tragedy and to those currently recovering," said Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson. "This deadly leak will be the eighth Texas incident to join the CSB's backlog of 19 investigations, four of which are also in the Houston area. Drastic steps must be taken to ensure CSB has the capacity and the expertise to investigate these incidents and issue recommendations that will prevent tragedies like this week's from occurring again."

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