Mail.comLA PORTE, Texas (AP) — Four workers were killed and one was injured Saturday during a hazardous chemical leak at a DuPont industrial plant in suburban Houston, company officials said.
The chemical, methyl mercaptan, began leaking from a valve around 4 a.m. in a unit at the plant in La Porte, about 20 miles east of Houston. Plant officials said the release was contained by 6 a.m. Methyl mercaptan was used at the plant to create crop-protection products such as insecticides and fungicides, according to DuPont. The cause of the leak was not immediately known.
Five employees were in the unit at the time of the incident and were exposed to the chemical, the company said. Four died at the plant, and one was hospitalized. “There are no words to fully express the loss we feel or the concern and sympathy we extend to the families of the employees and their co-workers,” plant manager Randall Clements said in a statement. “We are in close touch with them and providing them every measure of support and assistance at this time.”
The company said the fifth worker who was hospitalized was being held for observation but didn’t provide further details. DuPont would only say “the employee is currently receiving treatment.” None of the victims was immediately identified.
DuPont will cooperate with local, state and federal officials investigating the leak, Clements said. “As part of that investigation, we are conducting our own top-to-bottom review of this incident and we will share what we learn with the relevant authorities,” he said.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board, a federal agency that investigates chemical accidents, announced late Saturday that it was sending a seven-person team to investigate the incident. Jeff Suggs, emergency management coordinator for La Porte, said the chemical release was not toxic for those living nearby, but that it caused a smell that’s similar to rotten eggs.
“It’s a nuisance smell in the area. It’s a smell that’s traveled quite far,” Suggs said. The odor from the leak lingered in the area for the better part of the day and reached areas about 40 miles away, The Houston Chronicle reported.
Methyl mercaptan is also commonly used to odorize natural gas — which has no odor — for safety purposes. The La Porte plant has 320 DuPont employees. Four other companies are also tenants at the complex.
In the rankings of corporate evil, I think DuPont is right below Monsanto.
Everyone who works for that company is guilty of participating in crimes against humanity, and should all be thrown into a pit and buried as a way of “fast tracking” the justice that has to be done.
How can we give everyone trials? There are too many evil bastards in our society, and not enough rope to hang ’em all.
“Everyone who works for that company [DuPont] is guilty of participating in crimes against humanity, and should all be thrown into a pit and buried as a way of ‘fast tracking’ the justice that has to be done.
You and I live in the United States, in which our Government is run by International War Criminals whom are guilty of “Crimes Against Humanity”.
Question: In retrospect with your statement (above); does this mean that ALL USA citizens should be held accountable for the Criminal Acts committed by our Government?
People work for DuPont, Monsanto, BP, Halliburton, KBR, Nuclear Power Plants, Pharmaceuticals, police, military, and the Federal Government because they have to eat and pay bills, JR.
Just because a handful of administrators in the upper echelons of these employers are criminals, doesn’t mean that ALL of their employees are also criminals (IMHO).
People can’t commit crimes against humanity just so they can eat, even if they’re only janitors. They chose their company. Jolly Roger is right about those who work for DuPont, etc., b/c not only do they know what their company is up to but they most likely have bought stock options. One good thing about America’s surveillance programs is that we know who these guilty parties are. Why throw them into a pit when we can send them to the gulag? After all, they like to work…
REPLY TO JOHN–
Well then, John; perhaps you will answer my question to Jolly Roger:
Question: In retrospect with your statement (above); does this mean that ALL USA citizens should be held accountable for the Criminal Acts committed by our Government?
After all, according to 28 U.S. Code § 3002, 15(A) – Definitions;
“United States” means—a Federal corporation.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/3002
WE live (are incorporated) within its borders and are therefore are part of the Corporation. WE pay taxes to, and receive paid benefits from the United States Corporation.
So, in accordance to your statement, we are “willing participants (accessories)” to the High Crimes and Misdemeanors committed by our Government, b/c not only do we know what our United States Corporation is up to but WE most likely have accounts with, and/or bought stock options from the Wall Street Bankers whom have been bailed out by our United States Corporation. WE have also received tax returns, Social Security payments, Medicare payments, Medicaid payments, food stamps, and/or highway maintenance with costs paid by our United States Corporation. You even have Corporate Employee Identifications: a driver’s license and Social Security Card (even if you are an illegal alien).
“One good thing about America’s surveillance programs is that we know who these guilty parties are.”
You’re right, John, but you don’t need surveillance film footage to know who these guilty parties are… just look in the mirror.
”The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers…” -stated by Dick the Butcher in ”Henry VI,” Part II, act IV, Scene II, of Shakespeare play.