DALLAS – The county that’s home to Houston has asked a state court to order safeguards and fine the owner of a chemical plant that partially exploded during Hurricane Harvey.In a lawsuit filed Thursday, the Harris County Attorney’s Office said Arkema Inc.’s facility in Crosby violated Texas environmental laws by releasing toxic and hazardous chemicals during flooding and fires, sickening first responders and residents.
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Harris County said its air monitoring detected volatile organic compounds, which can cause cancer, more than 1 mile (1.61 kilometers) outside a 1.5-mile (2.41-kilometer) evacuation zone created before fires began.
After flooding shut off power in August, the plant couldn’t cool and stabilize its organic peroxides. Multiple agencies continue to investigate. Harris County also seeks reimbursement of $43,000 in response costs.
An Arkema spokeswoman couldn’t be immediately reached.
