Houston Refinery Valero
1940 was the year that the oil refinery was established in Houston, Texas that is currently operated by Valero Energy Corp. The facility has the ability to produce up to 83,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
The plant has been in constant operation since it opened, and maintains a work schedule of 7 days a week all year long. It has undergone at least two major ordeals over the years: the presence of asbestos and a major fire.
Asbestos is a naturally occurring material that was used in industrial product for several years. This was before people realized it was actually hazardous, and could lead to respiratory damage and a cancerous disease called mesothelioma. Products made from asbestos were put in place all across the plant, and when they would slowly start to decompose, small particles of asbestos would be released into the air. This led to the accidental inhalation of the toxic substance by many people, who later developed symptoms of the diseases it can cause.
After it was revealed that asbestos can be deadly, plant owners had to rush to remove it from their work sites. This was done by professional, certified crews because it is a dangerous process that can lead to the spread of asbestos if it is not handled properly. Refinery operators were forced to pay for this removal out of their own pockets, and to replace all of the missing products with safer versions.
In 2007 a large fire erupted at the plant. The cause is thought to be a leaky valve that caused a crack in the piping of some refining equipment over time. This led to an ignition that produced a large explosion and a fire that raged on for some time as fire fighting crews attempted to control and eliminate the blaze.
A lawsuit was brought against the Valero Corporation following the fire. It was in favor of local residents who claimed that they were not warned about the fire, or the sulfuric emissions that escaped into the air. These emissions were very toxic, and proper procedure would have been for a warning to go out to the community that the oxygen was not safe to breathe, and that residents should go inside and keep all doors and windows tightly closed. Valero officials have countered by saying that residents were warned, and even encouraged to adjourn to a local shelter until conditions improved.
Following the fire, the plant temporarily suspended production while the site was cleaned and repairs were made. The lawsuit with the local community remains at large.
Last modified: December 09, 2009.
