Vizag gas leak: What is styrene?

Vizag gas leak: What is styrene?

A gas leak has claimed at least 11 lives and 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.

Vizag gas leak: What is styrene?

• It is a flammable liquid that is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene plastics, fibreglass, rubber, and latex.
• Styrene is also found in vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and in natural foods like fruits and vegetables.
• According to The Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989, styrene is classified as a toxic and hazardous chemical.

What happens when exposed to styrene?

• A short-term exposure to the substance can result in respiratory problems, irritation in the eyes, irritation in the mucous membrane, and gastrointestinal issues.
• And long-term exposure could drastically affect the central nervous system and lead to other related problems like peripheral neuropathy.
• It is, likely, a carcinogenic substance that can react with oxygen in the air to mutate into styrene dioxide, a substance that is more lethal.
• However, there is no sufficient evidence despite several epidemiology studies indicating there may be an association between styrene exposure and an increased risk of leukaemia and lymphoma.

What are the symptoms?

• Symptoms include headache, hearing loss, fatigue, weakness, difficulty in concentrating etc.
• Animal studies have reported effects on the nervous system, liver, kidney, and eye and nasal irritation from inhalation exposure to styrene.

How bad is the situation in Visakhapatnam?

• It is yet unclear whether the deaths are due to direct exposure to styrene gas or one of its byproducts.
• However, hundreds of people including many children were admitted to hospitals.
• 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.
• More fatally, the gas was leaked while people were fast asleep.

What caused the leak?

• Styrene monomer was used at the manufacturing plant to produce expandable plastics.
• The storage requirement of styrene monomer strictly mentions that it has to be below 17 degrees Celsius.
• There was a temporary and partial shutdown of the plant because of the nationwide lockdown.
• The leak occurred as a result of styrene gas not being kept at the appropriate temperature.
• This caused a pressure build-up in the storage chamber that contained styrene and caused the valve to break, resulting in the gas leakage.

Is it under control?

• 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.
• The Covid-19 preparedness helped a lot as dozens of ambulances with oxygen cylinders and ventilators were readily available.
• The spread of the gas depends on wind speeds. So far it is estimated that areas within a five-kilometre radius have been affected.