A poisonous styrene gas leak occurred at 3 am (May 7) in the Vishakhapatnam area of Andhra Pradesh, southern India. As of 9 am on May 8, 11 people have died More than 300 people were taken to hospital for treatment. Thousands of sacked people also expressed discomfort. According to the local police station, at least 5,000 tons of toxic styrene gas leaked, and residents within a radius of 3 kilometers were affected.
The preliminary analysis of the cause of the accident was caused by the failure of the valve. The plant has been closed for 40 days due to the 40-day closure of the country, resulting in increasing pressure and failure of the safety valve. Styrene gas should have been stored in an environment below 20 degrees Celsius, but due to the failure of the refrigeration facility to work properly, the explosion of the pipeline caused this gas leak.
According to local officials, the leak occurred at about 3 a.m. Most of the residents near the chemical plant were asleep. At dawn, many people in the houses on the road, in the ditch, and in nearby villages were found lying on the ground, motionless. Toxic gas has now spread to 20 villages with a radius of 3 kilometers nearby. While evacuating the crowd, the police also rescued unconscious villagers from house to house. The Times of India stated that about 5,000 people experienced physical discomfort such as vomiting and damage to the nervous system after a toxic gas leak occurred in the chemical plant.
The leak occurred at the factory of LG Chemical Company, one of the largest chemical companies in South Korea. It was completed and put into operation by Hindustan Polymer in 1961. In 1997, it was taken over by South Korean LG Company and renamed LG Polymers India.
It is reported that this chemical plant mainly produces polystyrene, which is mainly used to manufacture a variety of consumer products such as electric fan blades, cups and tableware, toys and cosmetic containers. The leak was highly toxic styrene gas. The data shows that styrene is a type 2B carcinogen. Contacts will have a strong respiratory tract reaction, and it has a stimulating and anesthetic effect on the eyes and upper respiratory tract mucosa. When exposed to high concentrations, it will immediately cause irritation of the eyes and upper respiratory tract mucosa. Eye pain, tearing, runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, cough, etc., followed by headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, general fatigue, etc. There may be dizziness and staggering gait. Eyes contaminated with styrene liquid can cause burns.
LG Chem said on the accident that in order to understand the local residents ’injuries and protect employees, it is working with relevant agencies to take the necessary measures to the maximum extent. Regarding other symptoms, the relevant departments are taking all measures to rescue to ensure that the relevant treatment can be carried out quickly. The original situation and follow-up of the incident will be announced immediately. "
