DEER PARK, Texas — Three workers are suing PEMEX for injuries they sustained in the Deer Park refinery last week. Two contractors were killed and 35 others were treated after exposure to deadly hydrogen sulfide gas.
Muhammad Aziz, the attorney for these three plaintiffs, called the energy company's actions "reckless."
The lawsuit accuses Pemex of "gross negligence and malice" after the uncontrolled hours-long release of toxic hydrogen sulfide.
"Very high amounts of the chemical was released into the atmosphere," said Aziz.
Aziz said the company released 30 times more than the acceptable exposure of hydrogen sulfide. The leak has already claimed two lives.
Among the injured are contractors Sergio Olvera, Jonathan Martinez and Yoselynn Soto, the plaintiffs in this latest suit.
"All 3 of them inhaled hydrogen sulfide, went down and were taken to the hospital and are suffering from neurological disorders and respiratory problems," said Aziz.
Aziz said his clients continue experiencing dizziness, headaches, vomiting and disorientation -- classic signs of hydrogen sulfide poisoning.
"Some will recover completely, some unfortunately won't," said Aziz.
The lawsuit is seeking $1 million in damages. A federal investigation into the leak and what caused it is currently underway.
"Before any permits were issued, this line should have been free of hydrogen sulfide or any other material for that matter," said Aziz.
PEMEZ did not specifically address the lawsuit Monday, but did release the following statement:
"As has been reported since October 10, when the gas leak was announced at the Deer Park refinery, Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) continues the follow-up actions to the incident, which was fully controlled; in addition, the site was declared safe to resume activities on the same day. The event involved the release of water sulfide from the Amine Regenerating Unit at the refinery, which lasted only a few minutes. The release of gases occurred during the execution of maintenance activities in this process unit and containment tasks began immediately."
The refinery's equipment blocked the line and significantly reduced emissions by about an hour. The release of gases from the process teams was mitigated and stopped in approximately three hours.
In accordance with safety protocols, three different burners were used in the complex for the purpose of fully controlling and reducing the release of gases. The estimate of emissions to the atmosphere during the total event was reported on Oct. 11 through the Texas Electronic Environmental Reporting System (STEERS).
Air quality was closely monitored during this event for the compounds hydrosulfic acid and sulfur dioxide and no off-site impact was detected during the entire incident. Air monitoring readings on the refinery perimeter were zero for these compounds.
PEMEX's team at the Deer Park refinery continues to work closely with federal, state and local agencies that are following up on the incident.
The cause remains in the process of being determined.