The leak has been plugged and NDRF teams moved into the five affected villages and have started opening the houses to find out if anyone was stranded inside. Consumer products containing styrene include: packaging materials, insulation for electrical uses (i.e., wiring and appliances) ,insulation for homes and other buildings, fiberglass, plastic pipes, automobile parts, drinking cups and other items. Vizag gas leak tragedy: Industry experts can't believe Styrene gas alone travels long, kills people You are in an offline mode By P Pavan P Pavan / Updated: May 8, 2020, 09:03 IST Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines. Styrene gas is reported to be among the causes for cancers of blood and skin. A styrene gas leak in the early hours of May 7, 2020 in Andhra Pradesh's Vizag (Vishakhapatnam) has affected over 5000 people and atleast ten people are reported to have died and over 300 hospitalised. Teams of NDRF rushed to the spot and reports said the source of the gas leak was contained in the morning. It is widely used to make plastics and rubber. Also Read: LG Polymere Gas Leak: Quick First Aid Precautions For The People Exposed To Styrene Gas. Symptoms include headache, hearing loss, fatigue, weakness, difficulty in concentrating etc. Animal studies, according to the EPA, have reported effects on the CNS, liver, kidney, and eye and nasal irritation from inhalation exposure to styrene. The Indian Express is now on Telegram. 12 people have lost their lives and more than 200 have been admitted to the hospitals following the leak of styrene gas from the facility. Styrene gas, when inhaled, can cause several symptoms such as nausea, headache, weakness, etc. What happens if someone is exposed to styrene gas? 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Hours after the styrene gas leak around 2:30 am on May 7 (Thursday) from the multinational LG Polymers Plant at RR Venkatapuram village, people were seen lying unconscious on sidewalks, near ditches and on the road, raising fears of a major industrial disaster. This volatile organic compound is very harmful by inhalation and can cause irritation to the skin and eyes (R36/38). Exposures to styrene in humans can cause a respiration problem. The spread of the gas depends on wind speeds. The problem began as a result of styrene gas not being stored at the appropriate temperature. • A gas leak has claimed at least eight lives and affected thousands of residents in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. And long-term exposure could drastically affect the central nervous system and lead to other related problems like peripheral neuropathy. Autopsies should tell us more. There was 1,800 tonnes of styrene stored at the plant at the time of the leak. So far it is estimated that areas within a five kilometre radius have been affected. Styrene is a colorless liquid gas that evaporates easily. Context: A gas leak, reminiscent of the 1984 Bhopal tragedy, has affected thousands of residents in five villages in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh.. The source of the leak was a styrene plant owned by South Korean electronics giant LG, located at RRV Puram near Gopalapatnam, about 15 km from the coastal city. As per health officials, mere exposure to gas may not be fatal. It occurs naturally in some fruits, vegetables, meats, nuts, and beverages. Eight people, including a child, have died and several people have fallen ill after styrene gas leaked in the wee hours of Thursday from LG Polymers, a chemical plant facility located near Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. It is likely that children would have the same health effects as adults. A few studies also say that styrene is anticipated to be a human carcinogen. We will observe the facility for another four hours and give an all clear after a thorough inspection,’’ an official said. Also Read: Vizag Gas Leak Tragedy Kills Several Animals, News | Sports | Lifestyle | However, EPA notes that there is no sufficiet evidence despite several epidemiology studies indicating there may be an association between styrene exposure and an increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma. The effects of Styrene on health can be very severe. Express Explained is now on Telegram. Explained: What is Styrene Gas, at the centre of Vizag tragedy A leakage of Styrene gas has already killed 8 people in Visakhapatnam while over a thousand others have been hospitalized. Styrene is a flammable liquid that is used to make polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex. Visakhapatnam gas leak: What is styrene gas? © Copyright Sakshi Post 2020 All rights reserved. It can react with the oxygen and form styrene dioxide which is very lethal. What happens when exposed to styrene? The leak occurred in the early morning hours while workers were preparing to reopen the plant, which was closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Neutralising Styrene gas to take more time: The high-powered committee will inquire into the causes of the leakage, including possible lapses in the plant’s adherence to safety protocols; it will study the long-term effects of the gas leakage on the surrounding villages, if any and recommend action to be taken against the company if negligence is found. Styrene oxide is considered toxic and possibly mutagenic. Styrene gas when inhaled can cause several symptoms such as nausea headache weakness etc. Exposure to styrene gas affects the central nervous system, said Dr K Vijay Kumar, Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Andhra Medical College. Styrene gas can be quickly spread in the air and it is harmful to living beings. Among the chemicals used to manufacture polymer composites, few are as widely used as styrene. As per the US-based Environment Protection Agency (EPA), short-term exposure to the substance can result in respiratory problems, irritation in the eyes, irritation in the mucous membrane, and gastrointestinal issues. Styrene is highly flammable and releases a poisonous gas when burnt. How Dangerous Is It? A gas leak, reminiscent of the 1984 Bhopal tragedy, has claimed at least 11 lives and affected thousands of residents in five villages in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Photos | For Prelims and Mains: Leaked gas, effects and the reasons for leakage. A gas leak has claimed at least 11 lives and affected thousands of residents in five villages in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Yodasoft Technologies Pvt Ltd. Amaravati: The revolutionary decision taken by the State Government to provide continuous power supply on permanent basis is on course of becoming successful as rapid steps are being taken in that direction. Powered by Repeated exposure to lower levels of styrene gas can cause problems with concentration, memory and balance and learning ability and can result in confusion and slow reflexes. Acute (short-term) exposure to styrene in humans results in mucous membrane and eye irritation, and gastrointestinal effects. The issue of styrene and cancer has been a priority for IARC ever since an accumulation of leukaemia cases among employees in the American synthetic rubber industry was seen in the 1970s. However, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that styrene is a possible carcinogen. Click here to join our channel (@ieexplained) and stay updated with the latest. 5 Dos And Don’ts For Expectant Mothers, Babies In Winters! Used in the manufacturing of polysty Styrene gas exposure: What symptoms can first occur? The gas leak has also left scores of citizens fainting and dropping unconscious on the ground. The styrene vapour spread to nearby villages and left the unsuspecting people suffering while fast asleep. LG Polymers Gas Leak: What Exactly Is Styrene Gas And How Harmful Is It? What Is Styrene, The Gas That Killed 11 People In Visakhapatnam. The cases are high as the gas leak was only detected at 3 am in the morning, meaning several crucial hours have been lost till safety precautions were taken, and the gas was allowed to spread while people were fast asleep. “Breathlessness, respiratory problems, irritation in eyes, indigestion, nausea, transient loss of consciousness, unsteady gait, giddiness are caused by exposure to it. On 7 May 2020, a gas, reported to be styrene, leaked from a tank at the LG Chem (LG Polymers India Private Limited) plant at RR Venkatapuram, Visakhapatnam, Andra Pradesh, India. COVID-19: Twitter Deletes Rajinikanth’s Post. Officials said that the Covid-19 preparedness helped a lot as dozens of ambulances with oxygen cylinders and ventilators were readily available. Topics Covered: Disaster and disaster management. Vizag gas leak: What is styrene gas? As it is flammable between 0.9 % and 6.8 % volume, styrene vapors can form explosive gaseous mixtures.It also features reprotoxic effects. Acute exposure to styrene gas causes respiratory and neurological symptoms and is lethal in extremely high doses. He said chronic (long-term) exposure to … Styrene effects on health. What to study? As per the US-based Environment Protection Agency (EPA), short-term exposure to the substance can result in respiratory problems, irritation in the eyes, irritation in the mucous membrane, and gastrointestinal issues. Sudden and short-term exposure to styrene gas causes damage to mucous membranes, irritation in eyes and some adverse gastrointestinal effects. * The moderation of comments is automated and not cleared manually by, Copyright © 2021 The Indian Express [P] Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Officials said they immediately began making announcements over speakers but many were feared to have already become unconscious as police had to break open doors to shift people. The source of the leak was a styrene plant owned by South Korean electronics giant LG, located at RRV Puram near Gopalapatnam, about 15 kms from the coast city. Politics | According to the studies, the long-term exposure to styrene gas can cause severe brain damage resulting in symptoms like headache, depression, delayed reaction time, reduced memory, slowed visuomotor speed (ability to integrate hands and eyes to complete a task) and reduced intellectual ability. For all the latest Explained News, download Indian Express App. While it unclear at the moment whether the deaths are due to direct exposure to styrene gas or one of its byproducts, Visakhapatnam Police Commissioner Rajiv Kumar Meena has maintained that the gas is “non-poisonous” and is only fatal when exposed for longer durations. Hundreds of people have been taken to hospital following styrene gas leak, with many complaining of difficulties breathing and a burning sensation in the eyes. While six died due to prolonged exposure to the gas, another two died while trying to escape from the leak. "The leakage was found to be styrene, a compound which had "become air" (evaporated) and leaked," GVMC Commissioner Srijana Gummalla told TNM. Read this story in Bangla. New Rules From January 01 2021, Find Out More, Christmas 2020: Delectable Vegetarian Rum And Raisin Cake Recipe, How To Prepare For NDA Exam 2021: Top 4 NDA Academy in India, AP Govt To Achieve Uninterrupted Power Supply To Farmer With Solar Power. The source of the leak was a styrene plant owned by South Korean electronics giant LG. It is a flammable liquid that is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex. Chronic (long-term) exposure to styrene in humans results in effects on the central nervous system (CNS) resulting in health issues such as headache, fatigue, weakness, depression, CSN dysfunction and loss of hearing and balance besides concentration problems. In the long-term, survivors of styrene gas exposure may face reproductive and developmental problems. Styrene can stay in the air for several days. Videos | The styrene gas is heavier than air and comes down on spraying of water, and remains in the atmosphere for seven to eight hours. Entertainment | Initial reports indicate that several people from the surrounding villages — RRV Puram, Venkatapuram, BC Colony, Padmapuram and Kamparapalem — fell unconscious on the roads. Short term exposure to styrene in humans results in mucous membrane irritation and eye irritation and gastrointestinal effects. This caused pressure to build up in the storage chamber and led the valve to break, resulting in the gas leakage. An affected woman on a wheelchair being taken for treatment at King George Hospital after a major chemical gas leakage at LG Polymers industry in … Created: May 07, 2020, 11:21 IST | Updated: May 07, 2020, 12:51 IST. Meanwhile, Amit Shah termed the gas leak as disturbing. Right now there is no leak as it has been contained. However, studies on animals say that animals may be more sensitive than humans to the nose and liver effects. So, how does Styrene affect the human body? During exposure to styrene gas, a person can feel symptoms like headache, loss in hearing, … When inhaled, it mainly affects the upper respiratory tract. Styrene (C3H8) is a colorless or sometimes yellowish gas with a soft smell detectable from 0.15 ppm. Styrene is … Thaman’s Latest Disclosure On ‘Butta Bomma’ Will Surpise You! The possible cause of death in animals and humans is possibly asphyxia – oxygen deprivation. Styrene gas which leaked from the LG Polymers unit at R R Venkatapuram on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam, is a lethal chemical that can have a carcinogenic (cancer causing) effect … A statement from LG Polymers said that stagnation and changes in temperature inside the storage tank could have resulted in auto polymerization and could have caused vapourisation. Pungent air, deaths and chaos — Visakhapatnam gas leak in pictures. Tech |. According to Tox Town, a website run by the US National Library of Medicine, styrene is also found in vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and in natural foods like fruits and vegetables. Styrene gas’s effects on the brain include a feeling of drunkenness, changes in colour vision, tiredness, confusion, and problems maintaining balance. It could also lead to cancer and depression in some cases. It is also regarded as hazardous and carcinogen. Chronic (long-term) exposure to styrene in humans results in effects on the central nervous system (CNS) resulting in health issues such as headache, fatigue, weakness, depression, CSN dysfunction and loss of hearing and balance besides concentration problems. Also, the container that was being used to store styrene gas … Visakhapatnam, May 7 The leakage of Styrene from LG Polymers' plant here in the wee hours of Thursday has brought focus on the nature of the gas and its effects. “We are investigating the incident. 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