A massive chlorine leak at Olin Corporation's Freeport facility on May 20 released over 8,000 pounds of the toxic gas, yet thousands of nearby residents reported receiving no official warning. The incident has sparked widespread concern and criticism regarding the effectiveness of local emergency alert systems, which are designed to protect communities from industrial accidents.
An industrial mishap at Olin Corporation's Freeport site on May 20 released thousands of pounds of hazardous, greenish-yellow chlorine gas. However, neighboring locals said that they received no official notice about Texas's worst chlorine leak in years.
Gary Witt, a retired Surfside Beach resident and Better Brazoria environmental group chair, said, “Until I looked on our local Facebook channel, I didn’t even know anything about it.” He pays close attention to local developments because his residence overlooks the industrial complex.
Olin subsidiary Blue Cube Operations reported to state regulators that a facility line leaked over 8,000 pounds of chlorine for 48 minutes starting at 8:15 a.m.
The Houston Chronicle's study of state pollution data shows that this incident was Texas's most significant unlawful chlorine leak since January 2020. A corporate spokeswoman said one employee was hospitalized but released the next day.
The Blue Cube facility in Brazoria County reported the highest accidental chlorine emission to Texas authorities in five years at over 8,000 pounds. As the poisonous gas drifts downstream, first responders have declared a Level 3 mishap, the worst chemical release threat. Brazoria County's emergency plan defines Level 3 incidents as hazardous substances breaching the industrial perimeter, creating a risk of substantial casualties and widespread property damage beyond local government response capabilities.
Clute City Manager CJ Snipes said, “It’s really rare,” downwind of the leak. He noted that this is the second such incident in seven and a half years. Many locals complained that shelter-in-place orders were given too late in municipalities like Clute. Brazosport CAER, a partnership that alerts residents to chemical emergencies, placed 11 sirens surrounding the plant, but residents could not hear them.
According to Brazosport Community Awareness & Emergency Response program representative Tabitha Walles, “the member company did not request the activation of the CAER sirens.” Residents are confused by the current decision, especially since local city authorities falsely stated on social media that the sirens had been sounded. According to witnesses near the petrochemical complex, alarms were heard inside.
A spokeswoman for Olin stated, “Olin reported the leak following the Industrial Park Emergency Services and CAER protocols.”
At 9:00 a.m., more than 45 minutes after the breach, Olin wrote his first statement on CAER's Facebook page. The Brazoria County Sheriff's Office said Olin personnel called them shortly after.
An Olin unit in Plant B released chlorine gas, according to the first public notification. A similar message was recorded on CAER's phone line. However, many households received their information more than an hour later, primarily through informal routes.
Melanie Oldham, a 16-year Freeport resident, said, “Their warning system doesn’t work for us, the public.” Friends at Surfside Beach alerted her to the leak more than two hours after it started. She then shared the information on community Facebook groups, which many of her neighbors used via phone chains and online forums. “In summary, we must alert one another and disseminate information effectively,” Oldham said.
