Sulfuric Acid Spill Reported at Houston Ship Channel

Roughly one million gallons of sulfuric acid were released into the Houston Ship Channel following an incident at the BWC Terminals Jacintoport Facility in Channelview, Texas. The spill took place on December 27 after a six-inch feed line connected to a 25,000-gallon sulfuric acid storage tank failed.

The pipe rupture occurred when an elevated catwalk at the terminal collapsed. The release began between about 1:40 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. local time and continued until approximately 6:00 a.m. Terminal officials said most of the acid was captured within an onshore secondary containment system, with only a limited amount reaching the main ship channel.

Two workers were briefly taken to hospital after inhaling hazardous fumes and were later discharged. Crew members from two vessels operating nearby were also medically assessed.

Authorities reported no interruption to vessel traffic, and air quality monitoring showed no effects beyond the immediate vicinity. Early findings suggest no major impact on marine life, although a full environmental assessment remains underway.