At 9:30 am on March 8, 2025, the National Response Center
notified EPA of a release of sulfuric acid at the HF Sinclair Refinery
(Refinery) at 3333 Southwest Blvd, Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma. EPA
contacted the potentially responsible party (PRP), HF Sinclair, which estimated
a release amount of 80 barrels with a potential of 85 more barrels. The PRP
reported that the sulfuric acid released ran through a drain for about 25 feet,
and then drained into the HF Sinclair Refinery's self-contained drainage infrastructure.
EPA was activated to perform community air monitoring as the PRP was unable to
provide it. There was also potential for rain showers in the late morning
to evening, which could mix with the sulfuric acid and create toxic vapors.
Upon arrival, EPA was briefed on the release and the PRP’s
initial response actions of applying sodium carbonate to the pooled sulfuric
acid and channeling of the remaining flow into the facility's self-contained
drainage infrastructure. Once in the drainage infrastructure, it mixed with
neutralizer as it continued on to the facility’s wastewater treatment
plant. EPA performed air monitoring for sulfuric acid vapor upwind and
downwind of the release source using Draeger tubes, a qualitative test to
detect the presence of sulfuric acid vapor in concentrations at or above 0.25
ppm in the air. The air
monitoring readings that were collected were below the Draeger tubes minimum
detection limit for Sulfuric Acid vapors. To
prevent potential rainfall from mixing with the sulfuric acid, the PRP
constructed a structure over the release area and placed tarps on top. The
release was secured at approximately 7:15 am on Sunday morning, March 9, 2025.
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