Update-Hazardous Material Found - Investigation Continues
El Paso County Sheriff's Office
3850 Justice Dr. El Paso, Texas 79938
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Deputy Jesse Tovar / Public Information Officer
(915) 538-2223
Pager: (915) 533-0733 (#5370)
Release Date & Time: Wednesday, May 7, 2008 3:00 PM
WHO: El Paso County Sheriff's Office (Lower Valley Patrol / Haz-Mat Team)
WHAT: Hazardous Material Found
WHERE: Area near the 14000 block Gateway West & Horizon El Paso County, Texas
WHEN: Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at approximately 4:56 PM.
WHY: Update
Background:
On Tuesday evening 05-06-08 at about 4:56 PM, Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to the area near the 14000 block of Gateway West to reports of a hazardous material found on the blacktop asphalt. Deputies along with the Horizon Police Department arrived minutes later and discovered a yellow type substance on the asphalt with fumes coming from it.
Early investigation of the found chemical substance was said to be a SULFUR-LIKE product. Haz-Mat Teams collected a sample for analysis.
Update:
It has been determined the substance found was on property belonging to the Flying J Truck Stop.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office HAZ-MAT Unit has been working closely with Flying J -General and District managers who are involved in contracting a cleaning company to go out to scene for cleanup/disposal.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has already spoken with Flying J officials and have given them until 5:00 PM today clean up the site.
It is not known at this time which cleaning company will be hired for the work.
Disposal site/procedure is the responsibility of the cleanup company. Disposal site is unknown in as each company has contracts in place to accommodate the chemical/substance involved.
Not all chemicals/substances can be disposed of at the same site or using the same disposal procedures.
It is estimated that the total amount for the clean-up / disposal could be anywhere in the area of $10,000 to $25,000.
An Investigation continues.