Environmental Effect of Refinery Blasts

For anyone living in the Houston or surrounding area, there is always a constant threat of oil refinery complications. Explosions and fires are obvious when they occur. However, a constant gas release may go unnoticed for some time. For those living in the area, understanding the environmental effects of refinery blasts is not only beneficial but can also be lifesaving. A Houston oil refinery explosion lawyer from The Doan Law Firm can assist with injuries from these incidents.

What Refinery Blasts Do to the Environment

Refinery blasts create numerous risks to the environment. This includes immediate and long-term implications for the community. They release toxins such as sulfur dioxide, benzene, and particulates that can contaminate groundwater, air, soil, and wildlife. Consider some of the specific impacts that commonly occur:

• Air quality Impact: Explosions release smoke and pollutants into the air, including nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxides, and carbon monoxide. This can travel for miles, affecting surrounding communities within hours.
• Chemical releases: Hydrofluoric acid released into the environment can pose immediate health risks, including severe environmental impacts and effects on a person’s tissues and bone health.
• Soil and water contamination: Chemicals quickly enter the soil and water, creating ongoing threats to the environment. That includes impacting wildlife and plant life for years to come.
• Greenhouse gas emissions: Large-scale explosions can ignite fires that release significant amounts of CO2 into the air, creating additional fire risks and damaging the ozone layer.
• Ecological damage: Fires can also harm ecosystems, including wildlife habitats, and reduce soil fertility.

All of these risks occur not just once but every time a blast occurs. As that continues, environmental risks increase, potentially leading to significant hazards.

Why You Should Care About Refinery Blasts

If you live in the area where refinery blasts occur, the risks to your health are numerous. Reports indicate that many of these explosions happen in urban areas where the risk of exposure is very high. Refineries are one of the most toxic industries in the country, contributing to employee and community-wide health impacts, including pollutants that cause:

• Pulmonary and heart disease
• Cancers
• Reproductive injury
• Developmental complications
• Neurological implications
• Immunological damage

This is not an unknown risk. It is one that the EPA and other agencies fully recognize as present. If you live or work near these refineries, it is in your best interests to know the risks you face and what to do if you feel you are facing exposure.

What to Do If You Are at Risk

If you are at risk due to your proximity to refineries, and you develop health conditions like those listed above, it is always beneficial to seek legal guidance. You may receive compensation for the losses you have, including for your:

• Medical expenses
• Lost wages and income-earning capacity
• Disability and long-term health implications
• Pain and suffering
• Mental health impact

In these situations, seeking legal guidance can be critical to proving your right to compensation. Insurance companies for these large industries are not likely to simply cover your medical bills.

Hire an Attorney Ready to Fight for You

The Doan Law Firm fights for victims. If you are facing illness or injury due to refinery blasts in your area, contact our legal team to learn what we can do to help you. Set up a free consultation now.