Animated Video Depicts 2020 Toxic Gas Release at Chemical Facility Damaged by Hurricane
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board has released a new animated video about the fire and toxic gas release at the Bio-Lab Lake Charles chemical facility in Westlake, Louisiana. The incident occurred when the facility, which manufactures chemical cleaning products for pools and spas, was damaged by Hurricane Laura.
As the hurricane approached, Bio-Lab attempted to remove products from the facility, but some of the vehicles intended to transport the chemicals never arrived. When the storm reached Lake Charles, more than 1 million pounds of a product containing trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA) remained on site. In large bodies of water such as swimming pools, TCCA breaks down slowly, resulting in a controlled release of the sanitizing agent chlorine into the water. But when TCCA contacts small amounts of water and does not dissolve, a chemical reaction can occur that generates heat and releases chlorine gas.
Winds from Hurricane Laura, a category 4 storm, damaged buildings at the facility, allowing rainwater to reach the chemicals inside. A fire resulted, and a toxic plume containing chlorine gas traveled over the neighboring community. Local officials issued a shelter-in-place order and closed a section of Interstate 10.
The video discusses safety issues that contributed to the incident and highlights recommendations made by CSB to the state of Louisiana, EPA, and OSHA.
Since the Lake Charles incident, two more releases involving TCCA have occurred at another Bio-Lab facility in Conyers, Georgia. A fire and toxic gas release in September 2020 forced the evacuation of approximately 17,000 people while another 90,000 near Atlanta were advised to shelter in place. A second fire involving TCCA at the Conyers facility occurred in September 2024.
“These dangerous events underscore the need for Bio-Lab and other chemical facilities to have more effective safeguards in place to prevent hazards from reactive chemicals that put communities and workers at serious risk, as well as the need for EPA, OSHA, and other regulatory agencies to take comprehensive action to protect against reactive hazards,” said Steve Owens, CSB chairperson.
The video is posted to YouTube. For more information, refer to the CSB press release.
