Dow Chemical said the leak of toluene diisocyanate -- detected and contained within a two-hour period Sunday -- did not pose a risk to the community, and no injuries were reported, The Houston Chronicle reported Tuesday.
"There is no community member that is in harm's way," spokeswoman Gina Gibbs-Foster said. The chemical is used in the production of furniture, mattresses and other goods.
The repair is expected to take a week, Gibbs-Foster said. The evacuated families will be staying in hotels paid for by Dow Chemical.
Exposure to toluene diisocyanate can cause burning of the eyes. Long-term exposure also can cause asthma-type symptoms.
Officials called Dow Chemical a "good neighbor" but also said they were disappointed the company didn't alert city or county officials about the leak, Freeport City Manager Jeff Pynes told the newspaper.
"It would have been the right thing to happen," Pynes said.
Gibbs-Foster said Dow didn't report the leak because the community was not at risk.
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