VIZAG GAS LEAK DISASTER

Recently, a gas leak has been happened at LG polymer plant at Gopalapatnam on the outskirts of Vishakhapatnam, a coastal city of Andhra Pradesh. The gas leak was quickly spread to the villages in a five-kilometre radius. Many people and animals have been affected.

Image source: BBC news.

History of Company

LG polymer India pvt. Ltd. was previously known as “Hindustan Polymers” which was established in 1961. It manufactures polystyrene and its co-polymers. Then it was merged with Mc Dowell and Co. Ltd. in 1978. And in 1997, it was taken over by LG Chem (South Korea) and renamed as LG Polymers India Pvt. Ltd. (LGPI).

At present, it manufactures Ploystyrene and Expandable Polystyrene in India. Its products are General purpose Polystyrene, High impact polystyrene, expandable polystyrene, etc.

How this situation happened in Vishakhapatnam?

The plant was shut for past 40 days due to coronavirus lockdown and minimum staff was deployed inside. “The gas leaked from two 5,000 tonne tanks, which had been unattended since march due to Covid-19 lockdown. It led to a chemical reaction and production of heat inside the tanks, which caused the leakage,” Vishakhapatnam ACP (West zone).

According to reports, there was a leak of styrene gas from the plant. Styrene is a colourless, or light yellow, flammable liquid primarily used in the production of polystyrene plastics and resins. Breathing air contaminated with styrene vapours can cause irritation of the nose and throat, coughing and wheezing, and create a build-up of fluid in the lungs.

Styrene is used to make pipes, copy machine toner, food containers, packaging material, floor waxes and polishes, shoes, toys etc.

What are the Government Measures?

The centre is mobilising specialised CBRN team (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear) and NDRF team (National Disaster Response Force). And around 500 people living in 3 km radius have been evacuated to safer places.

Andhra Pradesh government has announced Rs. 1 crore each as relief for people killed in this tragedy.

And preventive measures have been taken by the central government also.