Why in news?
A gas leak from the electronics giant LG’s styrene plant has claimed lives in Vizag, Andhra Pradesh.
What is styrene?
- Styrene is a flammable liquid.
- It is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene plastics, fibreglass, rubber, and latex.
- It is also found in vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and in natural foods like fruits and vegetables.
What happens when exposed to styrene?
- Short-term exposure to the substance can result in respiratory problems, and irritation in the eyes and mucous membrane.
- It will also cause gastrointestinal issues.
- Long-term exposure could drastically affect the central nervous system and lead to related problems like peripheral neuropathy.
- It could also lead to cancer and depression in some cases.
What are the symptoms?
- Symptoms include headache, hearing loss, fatigue, weakness, difficulty in concentrating etc.
- Animal studies have reported effects on the CNS, liver, kidney, and eye and nasal irritation from inhalation exposure to styrene.
How bad is the situation in Vizag?
- It is unclear whether the deaths are due to direct exposure to styrene gas or one of its by-products.
- Vizag Police has maintained that the gas is “non-poisonous” and is only fatal when exposed for longer durations.
- However, hundreds of people were admitted to hospitals.
- The cases are high as the gas leak was detected early in the morning.
- Several crucial hours have been lost till safety precautions were taken, and the gas was allowed to spread while people were fast asleep.
- Officials immediately began making announcements over speakers.
- But many have already become unconscious as police had to break open doors to shift people.
What caused the leak?
- LG Polymers said that stagnation and changes in temperature inside the storage tank could have resulted in auto polymerization.
- This in turn resulted in vapourisation.
- There was 1,800 tonnes of styrene stored at the plant during the leak.
Is the leak under control?
- The leak has been plugged.
- NDRF teams moved into the five affected villages and have started opening the houses to find out if anyone was stranded inside.
- Officials said that the Covid-19 preparedness helped a lot as dozens of ambulances with oxygen cylinders and ventilators were readily available.
- The spread of the gas depends on wind speeds.
- So far it is estimated that areas within a five kilometre radius have been affected.
Source: The Indian Express
