Posts by pwsadmin
February 28, 2022: Characteristics of Communities within 10 Miles and 30 miles Areas Refineries 
January 24, 2022: Annual State of the Plants Report
All plants summarize their 2021 challenges and achievements and their 2011 goals and plans
Read MoreNovember 29, 2021: Texas Cancer Registry data on Deer Park
To find data about cancer in Deer Park, Deer Park Community Advisory Council (DPCAC) asked its facilitator to search the Texas Cancer Registry (TCR) and also to summarize studies previously conducted for the community-industry forum by the state health department. Recent cancer statistics on Deer Park were not found, but data comparing Texas to other…
Read MoreOctober 25, 2021– Two Topics: Status of Shell Refinery Sale; Factors Researchers Consider When Trying to Find Cancer Cause
Shell Deer Park General Manager (GM) Guy Hackwell updated the CAC on the current status of the sale of the refinery to joint venture partner Pemex. Scott Malm, Ph.D., a Project Toxicologist with the Center for Toxicology and Environmental Health (CTEH), spoke about cancer and factors researchers consider when trying to find a cause for cancer.
Read MoreSeptember 27, 2021–Annual Report on Air Emissions from DPCAC Plants
Rafael Mendez of Dow presented the Air Emissions Inventory and Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) for the Deer Park CAC plants. The Air Emissions Inventory is the collection and evaluation of criteria pollutants, which include total suspended particulates, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide, and the ozone precursors volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides. The information is…
Read MoreAugust 23, 2021–Learn How Plants Protect Workers That Make or Handle Chemicals Like BTEX
Deer Park Community Advisory Council (DPCAC) planned to continue a series of meetings related to what are called “the BTEX chemicals” but changed their late August agenda to add reports on an August 15 event at the Lubrizol Deer Park plant that released a pungent odor that slowly traveled through multiple communities and was a…
Read MoreMay 24, 2021: Benzene Emissions. Air Monitoring Trends for Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes
At its late May meeting, DPCAC continued its focus on the BTEX chemicals: Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, and Xylenes. Looking at benzene data from its Annual Report on Emissions from DPCAC Plants, members saw that their emissions from plants in the group come primarily from three facilities that either produce or store benzene. Houston Regional Monitoring…
Read MoreApril 26, 2021–The Big Freeze: Plant Experiences, Lessons Learned, Best Practices, What Plants Will Do Differently
DPCAC asked member plants to describe their experiences in Winter Storm Uri, the lessons learned, best practices for future deep, sustained freezes, and any changes they plan to make. In the big freeze, DPCAC plants suffered damage primarily from frozen pipes, just as residents did. As plants prepare for a future freeze, the most common…
Read MoreMonday, March 22, 2021–Ways to Learn about Chemicals with a focus on Benzene, Toluene, Ethylbenzene, Xylenes (BTEX)
Monday, February 22, 2021 – Refresher on EPA’s Risk Management Program
The EPA Risk Management Program requires facilities with extremely hazardous flammable or toxic substances to develop Risk Management Plans aimed at protecting communities from serious accidents. Jeff Anderson of OxyVinyls Deer Park PVC/Caustic Plant will present an historical overview of RMP, to whom it applies, and what a plant must do to meet its requirements.
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