Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has lifted its shelter-in-place order for residents following an anhydrous ammonia chemical leak that occurred Sunday at a retail distribution center in western Harris County.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), anhydrous ammonia is a toxic gas that is corrosive to human tissue and can be fatal in sufficient quantities. The CDC goes on to note that concentrated ammonia is widely used in manufacturing, refrigeration, and agriculture. It is one of the highest production volume chemicals in the U.S.
The anhydrous ammonia (ammonia gas) chemical leak was initially discovered around 9 p.m. on February 11 at a 99 Cents Only Stores warehouse in the 23600 block of Colonial Parkway near Grand Parkway in Katy, according to county officials. By 1 a.m. on Sunday, the ammonia gas began seeping out of the warehouse, prompting an emergency response from health and safety officials.
The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office (HCFMO) responded to the scene using a hazmat team, fire rescue, and EMS services to contain the gas leak.
While no official cause for the leak has been given, a statement obtained by CBS News from the retailer explains that the leak occurred during routine contract work on the property’s refrigeration system.
Following news of the chemical leak, Dr. Ericka Brown, Harris County Public Health’s director for the community health and wellness division, issued a safety warning to residents asking them to seek medical care if they experienced any symptoms.
“If anyone is experiencing watery eyes, burning eyes, irritation of the nose or throat, or difficulty breathing, we are asking that you proceed to the nearest emergency center to seek care,” she said.
HCPH issued an official update on Monday, lifting the shelter-in-place order.
“At this time, we do feel that it is safe to lift the shelter-in-place, and we will continue to work with pollution control to monitor throughout the evening,” Brown said during a news conference shared online.
The Harris County Fire Marshal’s Office reported that no injuries occurred in connection with Sunday’s ammonia gas leak and that an investigation was launched into what caused the leak.
