Review – CSB Publishes Dow EO Release Investigation Report

Yesterday the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) announced the publication of a report on the 2023 explosion and ethylene oxide release incident at the DOW plant in Plaquemine, Louisiana. The incident resulted in the release of 31,000-lbs of EO, but no one was reported injured and there were no deaths. The CSB reported three safety issues identified and published four safety recommendations. This leaves seven open investigations.

The incident involved the vapor relief system. Leaks in the system allowed air to enter the piping. When debris from equipment left in a large reflux drum punctured a rupture disk attached to the system, EO vapors entered the piping and created a flammable atmosphere in the piping. The resulting explosion propagated through the pressure relief system.

 

For more information on the report, including a description of the four recommendations – see my article at CFSN Detailed Analysis - https://patrickcoyle.substack.com/p/csb-publishes-dow-eo-release-investigation - subscription required.