50 ill after gas leak from German chemical plant
Panic gripped the industrial town of Nagda in Ujjain, nearly 120 km from here, when a toxic gas leaked from a German plant on Tuesday affecting 50 villagers in the vicinity. While most of those affected were discharged after primary treatment, three plant officials were arrested and later released on bail.Victims complained of cough, burning in eyes and breathlessness and were admitted to Indubhai Parekh Memorial Hospital for treatment. All but three were discharged within hours of being admitted.Thionyl Chloride, used in the manufacture of special chemicals like plastics and rubber, started leaking from the German plant, Lanxess, around 9.15pm on Tuesday, affecting people in the surrounding villages. The leak took place after a glass tube in the plant developed a crack. Company officials said there was no damage due to the leak."We arrested three officers of the plant: Rajesh Kamewad (plant manager), Devendra Dhami (senior manager, safety) and Arvind Yagnik (assistant manager, production). They were released on bail within a few hours," superintendent of police, Nagda, Deepak Shukla, told TOI.Although TC isn't toxic, it forms chemicals like sulphur dioxide and hydrochloric acid once it comes in contact with air. These chemicals have ill affects on human body.The leak took place due to a crack in a glass tube rotameter in the plant. Vice president, manufacturing, Lanxess, Bappa Bandyopadhyay, said, "As a responsible corporate, we have taken necessary actions and the situation is under control."An American plant, Gulbrandsen, is just a stone's throw away, and it uses chlorine gas to manufacture Aluminium Chloride, used as a catalyst in the pharma industry.
