Deer Park, Galena Park lift shelter-in-place after detecting lower benzene levels

The petrochemical fire at Intercontinental Terminals Company reignited as crews tried to clean out the chemicals that remained in the tanks Friday, March 22, 2019, in Deer Park, Texas. The petrochemical fire at Intercontinental Terminals Company reignited as crews tried to clean out the chemicals that remained in the tanks Friday, March 22, 2019, in Deer Park, Texas. Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Staff Photographer Photo: Godofredo A. Vasquez, Staff Photographer Image 1 of / 135 Caption Close Deer Park, Galena Park lift shelter-in-place after detecting lower benzene levels 1 / 135 Back to Gallery

The city of Deer Park has lifted its shelter-in-place order after air quality readings showed lower benzene levels near a petrochemical storage facility where several holding tanks burned for days, according to Harris County officials.

Emergency crews were still working to attack the source of the benzene exposure, which is believed to have escaped from one tank at the Intercontinental Terminals Co. facility in Deer Park, officials said during an Thursday.

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The city of Deer Park previously issued a shelter-in-place alert after elevated benzene levels were detected in the chemical storage facility earlier Thursday, officials said.

Around 4 a.m., benzene readings peaked at levels that could be cause for health concern, according to data supplied by ITC. Benzene levels dropped dramatically as the morning continued, ITC said.

As of 11:40 a.m., county officials received consistent readings of benzene levels "below the actionable limit."

Galena Park, northwest of Deer Park, has also lifted their shelter-in-place order.

The orders came after a massive fire burned through the chemical storage facility for three days in the city and wafted a miles-long plume of black smoke in the air. The fire was extinguished Wednesday.

WHAT IS BENZENE? What you need to know about the chemicals in the Deer Park plant fire, on HoustonChronicle.com

At an 11 a.m. news conference, ITC spokeswoman Alice Richardson declined to say whether residents near the burn site were safe and urged the public to heed warnings from safety officials.

She said the elevated benzene readings early Thursday could have been caused by a shifting of flame-retardant foam that is covering the burned tanks.

"ITC members are actively working to reduce the cause of what may be responsible for the elevated levels," Richardson said.

Richardson said crews are attempting to siphon around 40,000 barrels of pygas, which is used to make gasoline, remaining in a tank. The roof and chemical sealant of the tank was destroyed by the fire, and only a layer of foam separates the volatile organic compound from the atmosphere.

The tank is designed to contain up to 80,000 barrels.

"This tank was compromised quite a bit," she said, adding she was unsure when the burned area would be safe enough for Harris County investigators to visit.

HOUSTON CHRONICLE EXCLUSIVE: Dangerous chemicals create hidden dangers in Houston

Richardson also declined to comment on risks posed to the public during the fire, when chemicals stored at the facility burned into the atmosphere, versus now, when un-ignited petroleum products are capped only with layers of foam.

As she has in previous appearances before reporters, Richardson grew emotional as she answered questions.

"ITC cares. We care a lot," she said through tears. "We have been good stewards. We have been good neighbors."

Unlike previous news conferences, which were held at ITC offices in Pasadena, Thursday morning's event was held at the Marriott hotel near Hobby Airport, 12 miles away.

ITC spokesman Dale Samuelson said the venue change came at the request of television stations and was unrelated to shelter-in-place in Deer Park.

Health officials emphasized that only the area around the chemical plant had been affected by the benzene leak. Low wind speeds are keeping the vapors contained to the area, meteorologists said. The specific area impacted was south of Tidal Road, east of Beltway 8, west of Underwood Road and north of Pasadena Boulevard.

Harris County Fire Marshal Laurie Christensen said vapors could be released as the foam shifts over the next 24 hours.

"As that foam separates, you're going to see some of those vapors come up," she said. "They're going to continue putting that blanket back together and continuing covering it with foam ... and we're going to see this probably over the next 24 hours — that smothering effect of that foam. As it breaks down were going to cover it."

Public health officials added that benzene readings are expected to change throughout the day.

Also, authorities will reopened Texas 225, which had been closed from Beltway 8 to Highway 146.

RELATED: Deer Park plant fire may have been sparked by a overheated storage tank, worker says

Several school districts have announced closures because of the environmental concerns.

Channelview ISD

Pasadena ISD

Deer Park ISD

La Porte ISD

Sheldon ISD

Galena Park ISD

All San Jacinto College campuses and the district offices

Clear Horizons Early College High School (a Clear Creek ISD school)

YES Prep East End and Southeast campuses.

KIPP Northeast, East End and South East campuses (KIPP Legacy, KIPP Polaris, KIPP Voyage, KIPP Northeast College prep, KIPP Intrepid, KIPP Explore, KIPP Climb and KIPP Prime)

Pasadena ISD officials released this statement this morning:

The Deer Park Fire is a very dynamic situation. This morning at 5 a.m., we were notified that the City of Deer Park is being put in a shelter-in-place. We have been advised by our own City Officials to cancel school today. Therefore, Pasadena ISD will be closed today, March 21, 2019.

Houston ISD schools will remain open, according to the district. Schools near the Deer Park plant will hold all activities indoors. The district said that out of an abundance of caution, they have hired outside contractors to test indoor and outdoor air quality at our campuses in eastern Harris County.

The Environmental Defense Fund on Thursday commended authorities for issuing the shelter in place, but added the action was no surprise.

"We have expected this type of situation since the start of the International Terminals Company fire," said Elena Craft, senior director for Climate and Health. "Officials must be diligent in tracking air pollution and protecting people's health.

"Harris County, state, and federal officials sometimes failed to acknowledge the potential risk this week while trying to reassure the public that air quality was 'normal.' No one should accept polluted air as normal."

Julian Gill is a digital reporter in Houston. Read him on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | julian.gill@chron.com | NEWS WHEN YOU NEED IT: Text CHRON to 77453 to receive breaking news alerts by text message | Sign up for breaking news alerts delivered to your email here.