Lubrizol controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2021
Chemtool Rockton explosion and fire
The Chemtool manufacturing plant in Rockton, Illinois, suffered a large explosion and fire, leading authorities to establish a one-mile evacuation zone during emergency response operations.
2021
Chemtool Rockton plant fire
Safety incident
A fire destroyed Chemtool's Rockton chemical plant. The cause remained under investigation, and the Illinois EPA referred an enforcement action related to the fire and pollutant release to the Illinois attorney general's office.
A fire destroyed Chemtool’s Rockton chemical plant. The cause remained under investigation, and the Illinois EPA referred an enforcement action related to the fire and pollutant release to the Illinois attorney general’s office.
Company response
Apology — Lubrizol
Snyder, who joined local, state and federal officials at Tuesday's news conference, apologized to the Rockton community.
Remediation — Lubrizol
He also said his company is partnering with a number of private contractors who are on site and have expertise in spill prevention, spill clean up and remediation.
Source excerpt
Residents within a one-mile radius of the plant were forced to evacuate after the fire started about 7 a.m. Monday.
Snyder, who joined local, state and federal officials at Tuesday's news conference, apologized to the Rockton community.
He also said his company is partnering with a number of private contractors who are on site and have expertise in spill prevention, spill clean up and remediation.
2019
Rouen fire and explosions
A major industrial fire and explosions at the Rouen facility and a neighboring site prompted evacuations, school closures and warnings about contact with soot and potentially exposed food or crops.
2019
Falobi sues Lubrizol over alleged racial harassment
Lawsuit filed
In 2019, Taye Falobi filed a lawsuit against Lubrizol alleging that the company knew about racially based harassment and a hostile work environment and did nothing in response. The report describes the filing as an allegation and does not report any court determination on the claims. The source presents the matter as a lawsuit brought by Falobi against Lubrizol over the alleged harassment and working conditions.
Taye Falobi filed a lawsuit alleging that Lubrizol knew about racially based harassment and a hostile work environment and did nothing. The article reports allegations; it does not report a court determination.
Company response
Clarification — Lubrizol
At this time we cannot comment further on pending litigation.
Source excerpt
In a lawsuit filed this week, Falobi is alleging the company knew about racially-based harassment and a hostile work environment and did nothing.
In response, a Lubrizol spokesperson released this statement:
At this time we cannot comment further on pending litigation.
2013
Mercaptan release at Rouen
Chemical decomposition in a tank at the Rouen site released a strongly odorous mercaptan plume that was detected over a wide area. Residents reported odors and some health complaints, and authorities required process-monitoring and emergency-response improvements.
2011
David Sokol share-purchase controversy
David Sokol, then a senior Berkshire Hathaway executive, purchased Lubrizol shares before Berkshire announced its acquisition. The disclosure led to criticism concerning conflicts of interest and was followed by Sokol's resignation from Berkshire.