Brazoria County HazMat Spill: SH 35 Closed After Molten Sulfur Tanker Overturns

HazMat Incident on SH 35

• ⚠️ A tanker carrying molten sulfur overturned on State Highway 35 in Brazoria County, leading to a significant hazmat cleanup.
• 💥 The crash occurred overnight, and the spill is believed to have caused a fire on the side of the road.
• 🚚 The driver of the 18-wheeler may have been falling asleep and lost control, crashing into the guardrail.

Molten Sulfur Cleanup Challenges

• 🌡️ The tanker was transporting 1,200 gallons of molten sulfur, a substance used in industries like fertilizer production, metal processing, and construction.
• ⚠️ Molten sulfur is a flammable solid that poses fire and explosion risks at high temperatures and can produce toxic gases when burned.
• ⏳ Hazmat crews cannot begin the cleanup or move the tanker until the molten sulfur has fully cooled, a process expected to take at least another 12 to 13 hours.

Environmental and Traffic Impact

• 💧 Officials have stated that the sulfur did not enter a nearby small body of water.
• 🌬️ Air testing in and around the adjacent neighborhood indicates no environmental impact to the community.
• 🚗 All eastbound lanes of SH 35 remain closed near Barex Ranch, with westbound lanes being used for contraflow to manage traffic. Drivers are advised to avoid the area.