August 3, 2021, Washington, D.C. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) investigation team is reporting the following information in connection with the LyondellBasell chemical release incident in La Porte, TX.
On the evening of July 27, 2021, a release occurred in the acetyls unit at the LyondellBasell (LYB) La Porte Complex. Approximately 100,000 pounds of acetic acid was released during a maintenance event. Two contract employees were fatally injured, and 30 other personnel were transported to medical facilities for evaluation and/or treatment. One person remains hospitalized.
The CSB, OSHA, and LyondellBasell have signed an Evidence and Site Control Agreement to preserve evidence. The immediate area of the release is not accessible due the presence of hazardous materials released as result of the incident. The CSB investigation team remains on site conducting witness interviews, documenting the incident scene, and obtaining records to assist in our investigation.
For more information, contact Communications Manager Hillary Cohen at [email protected] or by phone at 202.446.8094.