Panel to probe acid leak at SIPCOT unit
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE: The State government has constituted a four-member enquiry committee to go into the causes of the acid leak incident that occurred at Shasun Pharmaceuticals Ltd (formerly known as Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd) located in the SIPCOT Industrial Estate here that caused health hazards to the local community on Monday night.
The fumes arising out of the acid leak caused health complications such as irritation in the eyes, skin allergy, vomiting sensation and so on, requiring hospitalisation of 71 people, including 11 children. It is stated that some of the bottles carrying bromine stored in the company godown spilled and reacted with hydrochloric acid, resulting in thick fumes.
The panel has been directed to complete the probe and submit its report within a month to the government, according to a statement released here by District Collector P.Seetharaman.
The panel comprises the following experts: V.Selvaraj, Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories, Tiruchy; S.Rathinam, Additional Chief Inspector of Factories (Retd), Tiruchi; R.K.Elangovan, Incharge Director, Regional Labour Institute, Adayar, Chennai; and R.Varadarajulu, Chief Manager, United India Insurance Company Ltd, Whites Road, Chennai.
The terms of reference are as follows: the panel should find out the reasons for the bromine leak and the resultant fumes, and recommend technical measures to avert such a hazardous happening in future. The panel has also been given the task of scrutinising the production technology and chemical handling practices adopted by the government, and, to detect any shortcomings in these aspects. It should also recommend the ways and means of improving the health and safety aspects in the manufacturing process adopted by the company management.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Acid leak: CPI calls for insurance scheme to local residents - The Hindu
Acid leak: CPI calls for insurance scheme to local residents
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE: Deriving a lesson from the acid-leak-induced fumes in the Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd. on the SIPCOT Industrial Estate near here that harmed several local residents on Monday night, the authorities should take appropriate safety measures, according to M. Sekar, in-charge district secretary of the Communist Party of India.
In a statement released here today, Mr. Sekar stated that it was ironical that though mock drills on disaster management measures were conducted on the industrial estate last year, with a view to improve the reaction time to exigencies, the official machinery took about three hours to bring a semblance of control in the unit.
Mr. Sekar observed that due to mishandling of the bottles containing bromine, the acid leaked, spewing out dense fumes.
Moreover, the official machinery did not seem to have the right technology to deal with such chemical hazards.
The CPI leader appealed to the District Collector P. Seetharaman to launch the People's Liability Insurance Scheme, as was in vogue in certain States, so as to provide adequate relief to the affected people.
He also called for stringent action against the unit whose alleged lapses in the handling of chemicals had caused a life threatening situation.
General Secretary of the Consumer Federation-Tamil Nadu M. Nizamudeen also called for the implementation of the liability insurance scheme, besides taking appropriate safety measures. Quoting the local residents he said that the alarm meant for alerting the people during emergency was not sounded, and the officials took a long time to react.
As in the case of the Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd. that kept the idle storage of bromine, there were also stocks of chemical wastes on the campuses of other units in the industrial estate.
These uncleared stocks would pose imminent threat to the safety and security of the people. Mr. Nizamudeen pointed out that there were occasions when the chemical wastes were transported and dumped near habitations in an unscientific manner. He called upon the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board officials to keep a tab on the unused and unnecessary stocks of chemicals in the industrial estate and make arrangement for their safe clearance.
Special Correspondent
CUDDALORE: Deriving a lesson from the acid-leak-induced fumes in the Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd. on the SIPCOT Industrial Estate near here that harmed several local residents on Monday night, the authorities should take appropriate safety measures, according to M. Sekar, in-charge district secretary of the Communist Party of India.
In a statement released here today, Mr. Sekar stated that it was ironical that though mock drills on disaster management measures were conducted on the industrial estate last year, with a view to improve the reaction time to exigencies, the official machinery took about three hours to bring a semblance of control in the unit.
Mr. Sekar observed that due to mishandling of the bottles containing bromine, the acid leaked, spewing out dense fumes.
Moreover, the official machinery did not seem to have the right technology to deal with such chemical hazards.
The CPI leader appealed to the District Collector P. Seetharaman to launch the People's Liability Insurance Scheme, as was in vogue in certain States, so as to provide adequate relief to the affected people.
He also called for stringent action against the unit whose alleged lapses in the handling of chemicals had caused a life threatening situation.
General Secretary of the Consumer Federation-Tamil Nadu M. Nizamudeen also called for the implementation of the liability insurance scheme, besides taking appropriate safety measures. Quoting the local residents he said that the alarm meant for alerting the people during emergency was not sounded, and the officials took a long time to react.
As in the case of the Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd. that kept the idle storage of bromine, there were also stocks of chemical wastes on the campuses of other units in the industrial estate.
These uncleared stocks would pose imminent threat to the safety and security of the people. Mr. Nizamudeen pointed out that there were occasions when the chemical wastes were transported and dumped near habitations in an unscientific manner. He called upon the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board officials to keep a tab on the unused and unnecessary stocks of chemicals in the industrial estate and make arrangement for their safe clearance.
Over 100 people hospitalised as poisonous gas leaks from factory
Over 100 people hospitalised as poisonous gas leaks from factory
United News of India
Cuddalore, Mar 8 (UNI)
More than 100 people, including women and children, were hospitalised and about 2,000 were evacuated as gas leaked from a chemical factory at SIPCOT Industrial Estate here last night and engulfed about fivehamlets located near the estate.
People ran out of their houses in panic as the gas from Shasun Chemicals Factory, located in the estate, about 12 km from here, descended on Kudikadu, Eechangadu and three other hamlets.
While those living close to the estate suffered giddiness and fainted, others suffered irritation in eyes and vomiting. They were all admitted to the Government Hospital and were being given emergency treatment.
As the situation threatened to worsen, District Collector P Seetharaman, with police officials, reached the spot and advised people to leave the villages. He told the people through a public address system that, while there was no threat to their lives, the gas, said to be bromine, would cause irritation in skin and eyes.
Later, about 2,000 villagers were accommodated in schools and marriage halls. The Collector, accompanied by the Superintendent of Police, also visited the factory and directed the officials to immediately remove the bromine stocks.
The factory was keeping the unused gas in bottles and cylinders in its godown, inside the factory complex.
The workers, however, were not affected as they wore masks and followed other precautionary measures soon after the leak broke out, police said. Tension prevailed the whole of last night as people remained restless. At one stage, they ransacked the security office of the factory and staged a road block around midnight, bringing to halt traffic on the busy Cuddalore-Chidambaram Road and East Coast Road.
They dispersed only after the police and district administration assured action against the factory.
Meanwhile, officials from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board visited the factory this morning to take stock of the situation as the affected villagers continued to stay in the schools and marriage halls.
United News of India
Cuddalore, Mar 8 (UNI)
More than 100 people, including women and children, were hospitalised and about 2,000 were evacuated as gas leaked from a chemical factory at SIPCOT Industrial Estate here last night and engulfed about fivehamlets located near the estate.
People ran out of their houses in panic as the gas from Shasun Chemicals Factory, located in the estate, about 12 km from here, descended on Kudikadu, Eechangadu and three other hamlets.
While those living close to the estate suffered giddiness and fainted, others suffered irritation in eyes and vomiting. They were all admitted to the Government Hospital and were being given emergency treatment.
As the situation threatened to worsen, District Collector P Seetharaman, with police officials, reached the spot and advised people to leave the villages. He told the people through a public address system that, while there was no threat to their lives, the gas, said to be bromine, would cause irritation in skin and eyes.
Later, about 2,000 villagers were accommodated in schools and marriage halls. The Collector, accompanied by the Superintendent of Police, also visited the factory and directed the officials to immediately remove the bromine stocks.
The factory was keeping the unused gas in bottles and cylinders in its godown, inside the factory complex.
The workers, however, were not affected as they wore masks and followed other precautionary measures soon after the leak broke out, police said. Tension prevailed the whole of last night as people remained restless. At one stage, they ransacked the security office of the factory and staged a road block around midnight, bringing to halt traffic on the busy Cuddalore-Chidambaram Road and East Coast Road.
They dispersed only after the police and district administration assured action against the factory.
Meanwhile, officials from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board visited the factory this morning to take stock of the situation as the affected villagers continued to stay in the schools and marriage halls.
Acid leak fumes affect 71, SIPCOT unit closed - The Hindu
Acid leak fumes affect 71, SIPCOT unit closed
A.V. Ragunathan
Idle stock of bromine kept in bottles cause of fumes: Cuddalore Collector
CUDDALORE: Residents of at least three villages were affected by fumes, following an acid leak in unit II of Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd located on SIPCOT Industrial Estate here on Monday night.
As many as 71 persons, including 11 children in the age group of two to 10 years, and 24 women, suffered health complications such as irritation in the eyes, trachea and stomach, coughing, nausea, skin allergy and sudden sapping of energy.
The affected villages include Kudigadu, Eachangadu and Karaikadu.
Following the incident, District Collector P. Seetharaman ordered the unit's closure.
Eyewitness accounts had it that fumes densely enveloped the area and severely affected visibility, spreading panic among residents.
Five of the affected women, namely Meena (30), Kalavathi (36), Lakshmi (6), Malliga (52) and Mazhai Amma (50), who had developed serious respiratory problem, were admitted to the intensive care unit, and others have been admitted as inpatients.
Hospital sources said their condition was stable and they would be kept under observation for a day. Following the incident, people in the neighbourhood blocked traffic on the Cuddalore-Chidambaram road for about two hours urging the authorities to take stern measures against the company management.
The Collector, accompanied by Superintendent of Police Ashwin Kotnis, District Environmental Engineer D.Sekar, Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories V.Thangaraj and a medical team visited the spot and arranged for relief measures.
The Collector told The Hindu that three transport corporation buses were deployed to shift the villagers to a marriage hall at Kurinjipadi and the government school at Old Town for safe accommodation.
However, two of the buses were diverted straight to the Cuddalore Headquarters Government Hospital where the residents got themselves admitted.
The Collector said adequate number of doctors and para-medical staff were posted at the hospital to take care of them.
He said the idle stock of bromine kept in bottles of various sizes in the chemical unit was the cause of the fumes. It seemed that some of the bottles might have broken, letting out heavy fumes.
Mr. Seetharman said it was a “localised incident.” However, the residents panicked and ran helter-skelter. Had a siren been sounded it would have created further alarm.
The Collector suggested imparting of training on disaster management among the local residents besides forming a “chemical guild,” consisting of experts, by the SIPCOT units for exchanging ideas on how best an emergency situation could be tackled.
A.V. Ragunathan
Idle stock of bromine kept in bottles cause of fumes: Cuddalore Collector
CUDDALORE: Residents of at least three villages were affected by fumes, following an acid leak in unit II of Shasun Chemicals and Drugs Ltd located on SIPCOT Industrial Estate here on Monday night.
As many as 71 persons, including 11 children in the age group of two to 10 years, and 24 women, suffered health complications such as irritation in the eyes, trachea and stomach, coughing, nausea, skin allergy and sudden sapping of energy.
The affected villages include Kudigadu, Eachangadu and Karaikadu.
Following the incident, District Collector P. Seetharaman ordered the unit's closure.
Eyewitness accounts had it that fumes densely enveloped the area and severely affected visibility, spreading panic among residents.
Five of the affected women, namely Meena (30), Kalavathi (36), Lakshmi (6), Malliga (52) and Mazhai Amma (50), who had developed serious respiratory problem, were admitted to the intensive care unit, and others have been admitted as inpatients.
Hospital sources said their condition was stable and they would be kept under observation for a day. Following the incident, people in the neighbourhood blocked traffic on the Cuddalore-Chidambaram road for about two hours urging the authorities to take stern measures against the company management.
The Collector, accompanied by Superintendent of Police Ashwin Kotnis, District Environmental Engineer D.Sekar, Deputy Chief Inspector of Factories V.Thangaraj and a medical team visited the spot and arranged for relief measures.
The Collector told The Hindu that three transport corporation buses were deployed to shift the villagers to a marriage hall at Kurinjipadi and the government school at Old Town for safe accommodation.
However, two of the buses were diverted straight to the Cuddalore Headquarters Government Hospital where the residents got themselves admitted.
The Collector said adequate number of doctors and para-medical staff were posted at the hospital to take care of them.
He said the idle stock of bromine kept in bottles of various sizes in the chemical unit was the cause of the fumes. It seemed that some of the bottles might have broken, letting out heavy fumes.
Mr. Seetharman said it was a “localised incident.” However, the residents panicked and ran helter-skelter. Had a siren been sounded it would have created further alarm.
The Collector suggested imparting of training on disaster management among the local residents besides forming a “chemical guild,” consisting of experts, by the SIPCOT units for exchanging ideas on how best an emergency situation could be tackled.
Gas leak in Cuddalore factory: 120 fall sick - The New Indian Express
Gas leak in Cuddalore factory: 120 fall sick
First Published : 09 Mar 2011 02:16:38 AM IST
CUDDALORE: More than 120 people, including women and children, were hospitalised following a Bromine gas leakage from a chemical factory at SIPCOT Industrial Estate here late on Monday night.
Residents of Kudikadu, Eechangadu and Nochikadu villages developed vomiting, irritation in eyes, skin and some even fainted as Bromine gas stored in the premises of the Shasun Chemicals and Drugs limited factory leaked after 9 pm. According to witnesses, people poured into the roads and started running in panic. Collector P Seetharaman, accompanied by officials and top police officials rushed to the area.
Those affected were then rushed to the nearby Cuddalore Government Hospital. Three buses were pressed into service to shift them to the hospital.
As a precautionary measure, the Collector decided to evacuate nearly 1,500 people in the villages to marriage halls and schools away from the factory. He also spoke to them using a public address system. A medical camp was also set up under Dr Kamalakannan, joint director of the health services.
Meanwhile, tension prevailed in the area and local people stoned the security office of the company and resorted to a road block at midnight. The traffic on the Cuddalore-Chidambaram Road was disrupted for a brief period, but the collector and the police pacified the crowd. Nearly 56 people were still undergoing treatment at the GH on Tuesday while 70 were discharged. More than 30 persons approached the hospital for treatment on Tuesday morning also.
Collector Seetharaman, who visited the factory along with the Superintendent of Police, told Express that Bromine kept in containers leaked as it was stored for a long time and it got mixed with the humid atmosphere.
He said that fire brigade personnel were pressed into service and they neutralised the gas using carbonated water. The fire fighters were then asked to remain in the premises. The Collector ordered the factory officials to remove the bromine gas from the premises. However, sources said none of the factory workers were affected as they used masks inside the factory. The Collector, who said that the situation in the area is normal, directed the Divisional Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to inquire into the incident.
The TNPCB officials visited the factory on Tuesday to assess the situation.
VICTIM: I FELT GIDDINESS, ITCHING\
Most of the people exposed to the Bromine gas leak on Monday, felt irritation in the eyes and all over the body. N Mani, a native of Kudikadu, who was recuperating at the GH, said he felt severe itching all over the body and in the eyes around 9.30 pm. “I could not breath properly also. But I did not know what was happening. I rushed out,” Mani, a daily wager, recalled. Govindaraj, a driver, was admitted to the GH only onTuesday morning after feeling giddiness and nausea. Seventeen women were also admitted to the GH with similar symptoms.Meanwhile, health minister M R K Pannerselvam, who represents Kurinjipadi constituency and MLA G Iyyappan visited the GH
First Published : 09 Mar 2011 02:16:38 AM IST
CUDDALORE: More than 120 people, including women and children, were hospitalised following a Bromine gas leakage from a chemical factory at SIPCOT Industrial Estate here late on Monday night.
Residents of Kudikadu, Eechangadu and Nochikadu villages developed vomiting, irritation in eyes, skin and some even fainted as Bromine gas stored in the premises of the Shasun Chemicals and Drugs limited factory leaked after 9 pm. According to witnesses, people poured into the roads and started running in panic. Collector P Seetharaman, accompanied by officials and top police officials rushed to the area.
Those affected were then rushed to the nearby Cuddalore Government Hospital. Three buses were pressed into service to shift them to the hospital.
As a precautionary measure, the Collector decided to evacuate nearly 1,500 people in the villages to marriage halls and schools away from the factory. He also spoke to them using a public address system. A medical camp was also set up under Dr Kamalakannan, joint director of the health services.
Meanwhile, tension prevailed in the area and local people stoned the security office of the company and resorted to a road block at midnight. The traffic on the Cuddalore-Chidambaram Road was disrupted for a brief period, but the collector and the police pacified the crowd. Nearly 56 people were still undergoing treatment at the GH on Tuesday while 70 were discharged. More than 30 persons approached the hospital for treatment on Tuesday morning also.
Collector Seetharaman, who visited the factory along with the Superintendent of Police, told Express that Bromine kept in containers leaked as it was stored for a long time and it got mixed with the humid atmosphere.
He said that fire brigade personnel were pressed into service and they neutralised the gas using carbonated water. The fire fighters were then asked to remain in the premises. The Collector ordered the factory officials to remove the bromine gas from the premises. However, sources said none of the factory workers were affected as they used masks inside the factory. The Collector, who said that the situation in the area is normal, directed the Divisional Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) to inquire into the incident.
The TNPCB officials visited the factory on Tuesday to assess the situation.
VICTIM: I FELT GIDDINESS, ITCHING\
Most of the people exposed to the Bromine gas leak on Monday, felt irritation in the eyes and all over the body. N Mani, a native of Kudikadu, who was recuperating at the GH, said he felt severe itching all over the body and in the eyes around 9.30 pm. “I could not breath properly also. But I did not know what was happening. I rushed out,” Mani, a daily wager, recalled. Govindaraj, a driver, was admitted to the GH only onTuesday morning after feeling giddiness and nausea. Seventeen women were also admitted to the GH with similar symptoms.Meanwhile, health minister M R K Pannerselvam, who represents Kurinjipadi constituency and MLA G Iyyappan visited the GH
Gas leak hits over 100 in Cuddalore - The Times of India
Gas leak hits over 100 in Cuddalore
TNN,Mar 9, 2011, 06.42am IST
CUDDALORE: More than 100 persons complained of irritation in the eyes, nausea and vomiting after a gas leak from a chemical unit in SIPCOT industrial estate in Cuddalore district on Monday night. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) additional chief environmental engineer S Balaji told TOI that fire broke out at the stores where chemical bromine and hydrochloric acid were stocked in the industrial unit of Shasun Pharmaceuticals Ltd, leading to poisonous fumes emanating from the unit on Monday night. Scores of residents of nearby hamlets, Kudikadu and Eechangadu, complained of irritation in their eyes, nausea and vomiting and were admitted to the Cuddalore government general hospital.
TNN,Mar 9, 2011, 06.42am IST
CUDDALORE: More than 100 persons complained of irritation in the eyes, nausea and vomiting after a gas leak from a chemical unit in SIPCOT industrial estate in Cuddalore district on Monday night. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) additional chief environmental engineer S Balaji told TOI that fire broke out at the stores where chemical bromine and hydrochloric acid were stocked in the industrial unit of Shasun Pharmaceuticals Ltd, leading to poisonous fumes emanating from the unit on Monday night. Scores of residents of nearby hamlets, Kudikadu and Eechangadu, complained of irritation in their eyes, nausea and vomiting and were admitted to the Cuddalore government general hospital.
Over 100 people hospitalised as poisonous gas leaks from factory - SiptcotCuddalore.com
Over 100 people hospitalised as poisonous gas leaks from factory
United News of India
Cuddalore, Mar 8 (UNI)
More than 100 people, including women and children, were hospitalised and about 2,000 were evacuated as gas leaked from a chemical factory at SIPCOT Industrial Estate here last night and engulfed about fivehamlets located near the estate.
People ran out of their houses in panic as the gas from Shasun Chemicals Factory, located in the estate, about 12 km from here, descended on Kudikadu, Eechangadu and three other hamlets.
While those living close to the estate suffered giddiness and fainted, others suffered irritation in eyes and vomiting. They were all admitted to the Government Hospital and were being given emergency treatment.
As the situation threatened to worsen, District Collector P Seetharaman, with police officials, reached the spot and advised people to leave the villages. He told the people through a public address system that, while there was no threat to their lives, the gas, said to be bromine, would cause irritation in skin and eyes.
Later, about 2,000 villagers were accommodated in schools and marriage halls. The Collector, accompanied by the Superintendent of Police, also visited the factory and directed the officials to immediately remove the bromine stocks.
The factory was keeping the unused gas in bottles and cylinders in its godown, inside the factory complex.
The workers, however, were not affected as they wore masks and followed other precautionary measures soon after the leak broke out, police said. Tension prevailed the whole of last night as people remained restless. At one stage, they ransacked the security office of the factory and staged a road block around midnight, bringing to halt traffic on the busy Cuddalore-Chidambaram Road and East Coast Road.
They dispersed only after the police and district administration assured action against the factory.
Meanwhile, officials from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board visited the factory this morning to take stock of the situation as the affected villagers continued to stay in the schools and marriage halls.
United News of India
Cuddalore, Mar 8 (UNI)
More than 100 people, including women and children, were hospitalised and about 2,000 were evacuated as gas leaked from a chemical factory at SIPCOT Industrial Estate here last night and engulfed about fivehamlets located near the estate.
People ran out of their houses in panic as the gas from Shasun Chemicals Factory, located in the estate, about 12 km from here, descended on Kudikadu, Eechangadu and three other hamlets.
While those living close to the estate suffered giddiness and fainted, others suffered irritation in eyes and vomiting. They were all admitted to the Government Hospital and were being given emergency treatment.
As the situation threatened to worsen, District Collector P Seetharaman, with police officials, reached the spot and advised people to leave the villages. He told the people through a public address system that, while there was no threat to their lives, the gas, said to be bromine, would cause irritation in skin and eyes.
Later, about 2,000 villagers were accommodated in schools and marriage halls. The Collector, accompanied by the Superintendent of Police, also visited the factory and directed the officials to immediately remove the bromine stocks.
The factory was keeping the unused gas in bottles and cylinders in its godown, inside the factory complex.
The workers, however, were not affected as they wore masks and followed other precautionary measures soon after the leak broke out, police said. Tension prevailed the whole of last night as people remained restless. At one stage, they ransacked the security office of the factory and staged a road block around midnight, bringing to halt traffic on the busy Cuddalore-Chidambaram Road and East Coast Road.
They dispersed only after the police and district administration assured action against the factory.
Meanwhile, officials from Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board visited the factory this morning to take stock of the situation as the affected villagers continued to stay in the schools and marriage halls.
Chemical leak in Tamil Nadu plant, over 350 affected -SifyNews
Chemical leak in Tamil Nadu plant, over 350 affected
2011-03-08 18:40:00
Chennai, March 8 (IANS) At least 350 people, including women and children, received medical treatment in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu Monday night after liquid bromine leaked in a factory and, reacting with the husk kept around it, produced noxious fumes, officials said.
'All of them are in stable condition with their vital organs functioning well. The patients were complaining of nausea, eye irritation, heart burn and cough,' a doctor at the Government Head Quarters Hospital told IANS on phone Tuesday from Cuddalore, around 160 km from here.
He said a total of 122 persons have been hospitalised, including 14 children and 70 women. The hospital also treated around 100 outpatients.
Medical camps have also been set up in the villages near the factory of Shasun Pharmaceuticals Ltd and around 150 people were being treated there.
Located inside the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT) industrial estate in Cuddalore, the Rs.530 crore-turnover company manufactures formulations for finished dosage products for some global drug companies.
The plant makes anti-ulcerant drugs like Ranitidine, Nizatidine and Gabapentin.
The gas leak occurred around 9 p.m. Monday night, affecting people in Kudikadu Colony, Kudikadu and Eechankadu villages.
The villagers complained of a burning sensation in their eyes and throat and were forced to flee their homes.
According to Cuddalore district officials, around 300 villagers have also been shifted to a government school outside the affected area.
'The factory had stored bromine liquid in bottles. It seems that one of the bottles had cracked. The chemical touched the dry husk kept around the bottle which in turn resulted in the smoke,' District Collector P. Seetharaman told IANS.
According to him, the factory has been shut down immediately pending completion of an enquiry.
'It seems the factory was not using the chemical for production... we will look into the issue of the quantities stored and whether they were within safe limits,' Seetharaman said.
According to him, the bromine chemical was stored in two- and five-litre bottles.
In 2009, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) had ordered closure of the factory under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 on complaints that the plant was emitting dangerous fumes.
Shasun officials were not available for comments despite several attempts.
2011-03-08 18:40:00
Chennai, March 8 (IANS) At least 350 people, including women and children, received medical treatment in Cuddalore district of Tamil Nadu Monday night after liquid bromine leaked in a factory and, reacting with the husk kept around it, produced noxious fumes, officials said.
'All of them are in stable condition with their vital organs functioning well. The patients were complaining of nausea, eye irritation, heart burn and cough,' a doctor at the Government Head Quarters Hospital told IANS on phone Tuesday from Cuddalore, around 160 km from here.
He said a total of 122 persons have been hospitalised, including 14 children and 70 women. The hospital also treated around 100 outpatients.
Medical camps have also been set up in the villages near the factory of Shasun Pharmaceuticals Ltd and around 150 people were being treated there.
Located inside the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu Ltd (SIPCOT) industrial estate in Cuddalore, the Rs.530 crore-turnover company manufactures formulations for finished dosage products for some global drug companies.
The plant makes anti-ulcerant drugs like Ranitidine, Nizatidine and Gabapentin.
The gas leak occurred around 9 p.m. Monday night, affecting people in Kudikadu Colony, Kudikadu and Eechankadu villages.
The villagers complained of a burning sensation in their eyes and throat and were forced to flee their homes.
According to Cuddalore district officials, around 300 villagers have also been shifted to a government school outside the affected area.
'The factory had stored bromine liquid in bottles. It seems that one of the bottles had cracked. The chemical touched the dry husk kept around the bottle which in turn resulted in the smoke,' District Collector P. Seetharaman told IANS.
According to him, the factory has been shut down immediately pending completion of an enquiry.
'It seems the factory was not using the chemical for production... we will look into the issue of the quantities stored and whether they were within safe limits,' Seetharaman said.
According to him, the bromine chemical was stored in two- and five-litre bottles.
In 2009, the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) had ordered closure of the factory under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981 on complaints that the plant was emitting dangerous fumes.
Shasun officials were not available for comments despite several attempts.
Gas leak at Shasun Chemicals injures more than 65 persons; Angry residents block road, demand closure of the Unit - SipcotCuddalore.com
Cuddalore, 7/8 March 2011: More than 65 residents of Kudikadu Colony were hospitalized after a massive gas leak from Shasun Chemicals today. According to the SACEM monitors, the incident took place at about 10 pm inside the Shasun Drugs and Chemicals unit in SIPCOT Cudddalore. The source of the leak is attributed to the Bromine storage near the HEP-MC plant in the southern side of the factory premises. It was about 11 pm when the residents from Kudikadu village, Kudikadu Colony and Eachangadu village started reporting severe health complaints such as giddiness, vomiting, respiratory problems, eyes and throat burning. According to the monitors who rushed to the spot after receiving the news around 11.30 pm, the entire unit and the Kudikadu village was engulfed with thick white smoke. There were no alarms or safety announcement made by the unit which caused more panic and confusion as people were at loss on how to protect themselves. Monitors report that it has been more than 3 hours since the leak had started and it has still not been plugged.
According to the local residents, police were the first ones to respond to the situation, more than 20 police personnel rushed to the villages at around midnight. The District Environment Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Factories Inspector reached the spot at about 12.30 am (an hour and half after the locals alerted about the leak). More than 3 fire engines have been called inside the unit to control the situations. At about 1 am, the District Administration brought in 3 buses from the transport department to evacuate the residents from the villages to Cuddalore Municipal School in Cuddalore New Town.
Road Blockade:
More than 1000 angry residents from the Kudikadu village, Kudikadu colony and Eachagadu villages have blocked the East Coast Road and the entrance to the Shasun Chemicals. Residents are demanding an immediate closure of the unit and prosecution of all members responsible for today’s disaster. Responding to the demands of the residents, the District Revenue Officer has temporarily sealed one gate of the unit and has called for a meeting later in the day.
More updates soon.
According to the local residents, police were the first ones to respond to the situation, more than 20 police personnel rushed to the villages at around midnight. The District Environment Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board and the Factories Inspector reached the spot at about 12.30 am (an hour and half after the locals alerted about the leak). More than 3 fire engines have been called inside the unit to control the situations. At about 1 am, the District Administration brought in 3 buses from the transport department to evacuate the residents from the villages to Cuddalore Municipal School in Cuddalore New Town.
Road Blockade:
More than 1000 angry residents from the Kudikadu village, Kudikadu colony and Eachagadu villages have blocked the East Coast Road and the entrance to the Shasun Chemicals. Residents are demanding an immediate closure of the unit and prosecution of all members responsible for today’s disaster. Responding to the demands of the residents, the District Revenue Officer has temporarily sealed one gate of the unit and has called for a meeting later in the day.
More updates soon.
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