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Basically styrene gas is a hazardous chemical that has potential to cause cancer if inhaled in high quantities. If human beings inhale in smaller quantities, it causes skin irritations and burning sensation in eyes. The chemical is stored in liquid which used to manufacture polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex.

P Prasad Rao, an environmental engineer with Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board At Visakhapatnam says- inhaling the gas in high quantities can affect brain functionality. The one who inhales becomes unconscious and after a few minutes, they come back to normal state but they are at risk with carcinogenic effects in the long term.

The causes of inhaling the gas in less quantity can cause headaches, loss of hearing, weakness and poor concentration. If you are exposed to it for long term, then it affects the central nervous system. The other cause of styrene gas inhalation is depression.

Coming to the recent incident of Visakhapatnam gas leakage, the concentration was 3.5 am to 5.45 am says the Visakhapatnam district collector Vinay Chand. At the time of the incident the pollution control board could not visit the area to take measurements.

The chemical is stored in liquid state but it got vapour over the time and got released in huge quantities. The reason for conversion from liquid to vapour is not found yet. The officials are working to find out the reasons. There are findings yet to be discovered- for the siren not working when to alarm about the danger. There is a refrigerator that did not work to cool the tank and stop the leakage of gas.

LG Polymers suspects the gas leakage is due to stagnation and it could be related to temperature changes which resulted in auto vapourisation. An official said “We are investigating the incident. Right now there is no leak as it has been contained. We will observe the facility for another four hours and give an all clear after a thorough inspection”.

The Industries Minister felt shocked about how the different safety measures failed to work at once and couldn't control the gas leakage. There is a confirmation saying 2500 metric tons of gas is leaked out of the tank and the remaining 3500 metric tons is stored in the tank.

Doctors in the King George Hospital are trying to know the quantity of gas inhaled by each person. Over 360 people are undergoing the treatment in different hospitals.

Is The Vizag Gas Leakage Under Control?

The leak is put to stop and the NDRF teams scattered into the five affected villages to check if anyone is stuck with the effect of gas inhalation. As the area is under cover of COVID-19 effects, there were dozens of ambulances with oxygen cylinders and ventilators. With this preparedness, they could save a few people who were rushed for treatment. The rate of wind speed can spread the gas. As per the estimation of officials reported saying the gas affected the areas within a five kilometre radius.    

From other side, the retired Union energy secretary EAS Sarma is questioning the state pollution control board on granting the permission for the expansion of the plant in 2019 without     official approvals from the centre. He raised another question- how the State Government issued NOC (No Objection Certificate) to resume the plant operations knowing that it is not an “essential industry”. He pointed out how “by no stretch of the imagination, a plastic manufacturing unit like this can be called essential”.

By Ramya C