Styrene gas leaks from LG Polymer India Pvt Ltd factory situated in Vishakapatnam of Andhra Pradesh, causing eleven hundred people to suffer, eleven of them died and 25 are on ventilator .
LG Polymer plant uses raw material styrene to make it's products like pen, plastic paints, etc. which is highly flammable and release a poisonous gas when burnt.
This plant is a part of the plastic resin and synthetic fiber manufacturing industry and is owned by South Korean battery maker in LG chemical pvt Ltd, which deals in development, manufacturing and services in the field of polymer.
Today's accident took place when the factory was being prepared to reopen after lock down. The workers were preparing to restart the operation when the gas started to leaking in the early morning hours.
What is Styrene? How it affects
us?
- Formula :C8H8
- Molar mass :104.5g/mol
- Density :909kg/m3
- Boiling point :145 deegre celcius
- Classfication :Organic Compound
Styrene is a flammable liquid that is used to make polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber etc. It occurs naturally in some fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts and beverages. It also used to make insulation pipes.
How Styrene affect us?
Styrene is highly toxic and the sort exposure to it, results in irritation of eyes, mucous and respiratory-gastrointestinal tract. It can also causes headache and depression. It is highly flammable and can oxidized other chemical compounds. It mainly affects our central nervous system.
It causes:
- Headache
- Depression
- Fatigue and weaknesses
- Hearing loss
- Balance and concentration problems
The Andhra Pradesh government has formed a panel headed by Chief Secretary to investigate the styrene chemical gas leakage at LG polymer India Pvt Ltd. After this tragedy Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy announced an ex-gratia of 1 crore each to the families those who had succumbed and those who are on ventilator will be given Rs 10 lakhs, while patients who requires hospital stay of 2-3 days will be provided Rs 1lakh. Patients who have been discharged after primary treatment will also get Rs 25000.
