MIDLAND, Mich. (Oct. 28, 2009)—A leak of toluene diisocyanate from an underground pipe at a Dow Chemical Co. plant in Freeport, Texas, caused the evacuation of 65 homes on Oct. 25.
The company said the emergency situation started when the company discovered a leak in an underground pipe at about 8 a.m. Dow emergency responders secured the area to prevent the leak from affecting neighbors in the community. Company workers went door-to-door in a six-block area, telling residents to evacuate.
The company told the residents to be prepared to be out of their homes for three to five days.
TDI is used to make polyurethane.
Dow said it is investigating the incident.