Deadly gas leak kills four workers at DuPont plant
LaPorte, Texas — Four workers at DuPont’s chemical plant in LaPorte, Texas, died on Nov. 15 after being exposed to a highly toxic gas leak from a valve on a container of methyl mercaptan that reportedly malfunctioned in the plant’s Crop Protection Unit. Another employee was hospitalized and later released. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB), which dispatched a seven-member investigation team to the plant, said the deaths occurred in an enclosed structure approximately 5 stories high that contained piping, valves, and other equipment. According to a Nov. 17 statement from DuPont, the leak began at approximately 4 a.m. and was subsequently contained, but no qualified medical personnel could enter the contaminated area until it was deemed safe because they were not trained in the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). “Our non-medically trained personnel who initially responded before 7 a.m. with the proper equipment reported the employees as non-responsive and likely fatalities,” DuPont said. “It was on that basis that the unit was barricaded for investigation just before 8 a.m. The incident scene was deemed safe to enter just before noon, and the fatalities were confirmed by the Medical Examiner around 1:30 p.m. We immediately began to inform families thereafter.” The four victims were identified as Crystle Rae Wise, Wade Baker, and brothers Gilbert and Robert Tisnado. The Harris County coroner determined that the deaths were accidental due to asphyxia with exposure to chemicals including methyl mercaptan, which DuPont said is a product commonly used to odorize natural gas for safety purposes. DuPont said it was working closely with local, state, and federal authorities as they investigate, and was conducting its own “top-to-bottom review” of the incident. “There are no words to fully express the loss we feel or the concern and sympathy we extend to the families of the four employees who died on November 15, and their co-workers,” DuPont said in the statement. “We continue to be directly engaged with the families to provide them every measure of support and assistance during this difficult time.” The 600-acre plant on Strang Road in LaPorte reportedly employs 800 workers.