ExxonMobil acknowledged Tuesday that Hurricane Harvey damaged two of its refineries, prompting the release of hazardous pollutants. The Baytown refinery is the second largest in the country. At the company’s Beaumont petrochemical refinery, Harvey damaged a sulphur thermal oxidizer, a piece of equipment that captures and burns sulphur dioxide. Flaring is generally done when releasing chemicals without burning them is more hazardous for people and the environment. ExxonMobil said it had flared hazardous materials at its Baytown refinery on Sunday and Monday.

Source: thestar August 29, 2017 20:37 UTC