LA PORTE, Texas (AP) -- Emergency workers are trying to clean up the toxic chemical benzene from a stretch of roadway near the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. chemical plant in La Porte.
A safety valve at the plant released the spray late Saturday night, coating about two dozen cars with the substance.
La Porte Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff Suggs said one person was transported to the hospital after complaining of trouble breathing and as many as seven others drove themselves to the hospital. Suggs said in a story in Sunday's online edition of the Houston Chronicle that one of those exposed to the spray were expected to suffer serious health effects.
The chemical can cause dizziness and burn the eyes in high concentrations.
Suggs did not know what caused the safety valve to burst.
Suggs said cleanup was taking longer than expected because the waxy liquid wasn't coming up easily.
