CHEMICAL LEAKAGE FROM At visakhapatnam

LG POLYMERS PLANT
BACKGROUND OF LG POLYMERS
PLANT AT VISAKHAPATNAM
The chemical plant at the R.R Venkatapuram village was
established in 1961 as Hindustan Polymers. It
manufactures polystyrene , its co-polymer products and
engineering plastic compounds. In 1997 ,it acquired by
South Korea- based LG Chem , which renamed the
company to LG Polymers India. IN 1998 , it was merged
with McDowell Co. LG Chem expanded its operations at
LG Polymers plant five times between 2006 and 2018.
INTRODUCTION OF VISAKHAPATNAM
GAS LEAKAGE
The Visakhapatnam gas leak, also referred to as the Vizag gas leak
, was an industrial accident that occurred at the LG Polymers
chemical plant in R.R Venkatapuram village near Gopalapatnam
on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh , India during
the early morning of 7 May 2020. The resulting vapour cloud
spread over a ratio of about three kilometer[2mi] , affecting the
nearby villages and areas. As per the National Disaster Response
Force[NDRF] the death toll was 11 and more than 1,000 people
became sick after being exposed to the gas.
 CAUSES
On 7 May 2020, the plant was re-opened following the nationwide lockdown
implemented as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The plant stored 2,000 metric tons of styrene in tanks, which were left unattended.
Styrene monomer must be stored between 20-22˚C (68-72˚F) above which it will
rapidly vaporize.
It is believed that a computer glitch in the factory’s cooling system allowed
temperatures in the storage tanks to exceed safe levels, causing styrene to vaporize.
Between 2;30a.m. and 3;00a.m.,when maintenance activity was in progress, the gas
leaked from the plant and spread to nearby villages.
 IMPACTS

As of 7 May , the fumes had spread over a ratio of 3kilometres.

Five villages- R.R. Venkatapuram, Padmapuram ,BC Colony, Gopalapatnam
and Kamparapalem-were the most affected areas.
Hundreds of people were rushed to hospitals with breathing difficulties and
burning sensation in the eyes.
Many had been found lying on the ground unconscious due to effect of gas.
According to the initial estimate, at least 11people had died, and 20-25
people were in critical condition.
By the next day , the death toll had risen to thirteen.
CAUSES AND IMPACT
 LEGAL ACTIONS
As part of the process of the police investigation followed the leak ,a first
information report (FIR) was filed against LG Polymers by the local Police .
The report allowed for possible chargers under sections 278 ( making the
atmosphere noxious to health).
284 ( negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance).
285 (negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter).
337 ( causing hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others).
338 ( causing grievous hurt by act endangering life).
and 304( causing death by doing any rash or negligent act not amounting to culpable
homicide)of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
http;//www.Wikipedia.com/
http://www.google.com/

thank you