CSB Investigates Texas Chemical Plant Explosion

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is dispatching a group of four investigators to the Kuraray America plant in Pasadena, TX where 21 people were injured after an explosion on Saturday, the federal agency announced in a press release Monday.

The blast occurred as 266 workers were on site while heavy maintenance work was being carried out during a turnaround period, Powder & Bulk Solids reported. Preliminary investigations suggested the explosion resulted from a release of ethylene from a pressure safety valve in a process unit that led to a flash fire.

Kuraray is a specialty chemical company based in Tokyo. The Pasadena plant produces ethylene vinyl-alcohol copolymers.

Although the CSB cannot issue citations or fines, the agency investigates chemical accidents and provides recommendations on safety to plants and other stakeholders.

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