Published: Fri, 02/24/23
Deer Park-based company Texas Molecular has contracted with the EPA to dispose of the wastewater by injecting it into the ground at its facility in Deer Park.
Houston Public Media
ANDREW SCHNEIDER / KATIE WATKINS
POSTED ON
(LAST UPDATED: )
Harris County officials are pressing the EPA for more details, following an announcement that firefighting wastewater containing toxic chemicals from the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio is heading to Deer Park for disposal.
In a statement issued last night, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said county officials have reached out for more information on the timing, transportation mechanisms, and contents of the waste.
"I have communicated with Deer Park Emergency Management and Mayor Mouton, and am very sensitive to the concerns that this news naturally brings to our community," Hidalgo said.
The derailed train was carrying toxic chemicals, including vinyl chloride, a known carcinogen. Residents in the area were evacuated so that officials could carry out a controlled burn of the chemicals.
Now, Deer Park-based company Texas Molecular has contracted with the EPA to dispose of the firefighting wastewater by injecting it into the ground at its facility in Deer Park.
Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia said he's been in contact with the president of the company and is confident the wastewater can be disposed of safely without putting residents at risk.
"We sometimes are challenged by having industry here in Harris County, but in this case, we're fortunate because we do have the most experienced people to handle such situations," Garcia said.
Deer Park Mayor Jerry Mouton also said he wasn’t concerned.
"It’s probably the lowest level of contaminated stuff that they will deal with on a regular basis, so I’m very confident that it’s being handled appropriately," said Mouton. "This is what this facility does and has done for 40 years."