Three Rivers Refinery
The Three Rivers, Texas refinery was built in 1933 and has been in operation ever since. It is currently owned by Valero, and is able to process up to 90,000 barrels of crude oil during a full work day.
In 2001 an incident of vapor release within the plant sparked a fire that released a large amount of a dangerous toxin called hydrogen fluoride, as well as several other hazardous materials. No fatalities were reported during the fire, but three employees did suffer chemical burns, and a fourth person was injured due to the excessive heat from the flames. Not only was the refinery evacuated, but up to 1,000 people were forced to leave their homes following the fire. Those people were given temporary shelter until such time as the air within their neighborhoods was considered to be safe and toxin free again.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) became involved following the fire, and worked in cooperation with the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) to investigate the cause. Valero was fined for the incident, and forced to make upgrades to their emission control units and monitoring equipment to ensure this was not allowed to happen again.
This was not the only health related issue that had to be dealt with at the Three Rivers facility. Earlier in the plant's history, it utilized many products that were made out of asbestos. At the time the material was considered to be a safe and highly functional option for construction, insulation and building materials, but researchers eventually noted that asbestos is actually highly toxic. Exposure to the material can lead to respiratory diseases and a form of cancer called mesothelioma. These diseases can be fatal, and are contracted by the inhalation of tiny particles of asbestos. Anyone who worked in the Three Rivers plant while these products were in use was put at risk of exposure, and should contact their healthcare provided immediately to explain the situation and receive a full check up.
Today the Three Rivers plant is recognized as a safe and environmentally friendly facility. It was awarded the honor of being declared a Star Site by the Occupational Safety and Health Association's (OSHA) Voluntary Protection Program (VPP). That award is given only to plants that exhibit an exceptional safety record.
Last modified: December 09, 2009.
