HOUSTON (May 11, 2 p.m. ET) — Four workers were treated and released from a local hospital May 9 after a chemical release at Westlake Chemical Corp.'s PVC and feedstocks plant in Geismar, La.
Officials with Houston-based Westlake confirmed the event via email, describing it as “a minor chemical release” that was contained quickly within the unit that makes PVC feedstock vinyl chloride monomer. The workers were able to return to work that same day.
Westlake said a power failure caused the leak.
The incident occurred on the same day that Houston-based Westlake restarted the VCM unit. That unit had been closed since late March because of damage from a fire.
Westlake now is working to bring the VCM unit back on line, officials said. All other units at the plant, including PVC, are operating.
