TEXAS CITY — Officials monitored an upset at the Valero refinery in Texas City Saturday, that caused higher-than-normal sulfur dioxide emissions, prompting temporary road closures and air monitoring.

The Texas City Emergency Management Office reported that a unit inside the facility had been releasing sulfur dioxide (SO2). As a precaution, FM 519 to the 605 South Loop was closed, but officials said early Sunday morning that the roads have since reopened.

Authorities said there were no threats to the general public. The Texas City Fire Department, Valero personnel, and CTEH crews were on site, and monitoring equipment did not detect elevated SO2 levels in surrounding neighborhoods.

Residents were able to track air quality in real time using the city’s situational awareness map.

Photo Credit: Larry D. Moore, Creative Commons