Also known as ethenylbenzene, vinylbenzene, and phenylethene, Styrene is an organic compound with the chemical formula C6H5CH=CH2. Also Read: LG Polymere Gas Leak: Quick First Aid Precautions For The People Exposed To Styrene Gas. COVID-19: Twitter Deletes Rajinikanth’s Post, Horoscope 2021 Predictions: Astrologers Detailed Star Forecast For Every Zodiac Sign, Happy New Year 2021: Wishes, Quotes, Whatsapp, Facebook Messages, Happy New Year Celebrations At Coffee Cup Sainikpuri: Check Event Details, A New Nutraceutical Product To Reduce LDL Cholesterol, StatEATstics 2020: Chicken Biryani, Masala Dosa Most Ordered Food In Lockdown, Bengaluru Tops The List. The gas … Studies on the effects on health due to occupational exposure to styrene have, however, been inconclusive. The drop in minimum temperatures below normal was due to east and north easterly cold and dry winds. Vizag gas lead: What is styrene? It is widely used to make plastics and rubber. Styrene is highly flammable and releases a poisonous gas when burnt. As per the United States Environmental Protection Agency, tests involving acute exposure of rats and mice have shown styrene to have low to moderate toxicity by inhalation and oral exposure. Dense thick clouds formed due to winds from the Bay of Bengal in the state. Styrene is the main raw material for synthesis of polystyrene, or (C8H8)n. Polystyrene, in turn, is a versatile plastic that is used to make parts of various appliances such as refrigerators or micro-ovens; automotive parts; and parts of electronics such as computers; and also to manufacture disposable cups and in food packaging. Dr. D Raghunatha Rao, former Director, Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre said styrene is primarily used in the production of polystyrene plastics and resins. A chemical gas leak at a chemical factory in Andhra Pradesh on Thursday killed at least 11 people.More than 1,000 people fell sick after inhaling the poisonous Styrene gas leaked from the plant. A few studies also say that styrene is anticipated to be a human carcinogen. A team of 15 engineers and officials remained on duty at the factory throughout the lockdown period to monitor it. * The moderation of comments is automated and not cleared manually by, Copyright © 2021 The Indian Express [P] Ltd. 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For all the latest Explained News, download Indian Express App. LG Polymers Gas Leak: What Exactly Is Styrene Gas And How Harmful Is It? The source of the gas leak was a styrene plant owned by South Korean electronics giant LG, located at RRV Puram near Gopalapatnam, 15 km from Visakhapatnam. 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. Politics | The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Styrene is a clear, colorless aromatic liquid that comes from petroleum and natural gas. Uncategorized ; Nov 19. It is the mucous membrane that is mainly affected by exposure to styrene gas. Sports | The leakage of Styrene gas from LG Chen in Venkatapuram village on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam city of Andhra Pradesh on Thursday morning … Shortly before dawn on May 7, styrene gas leaked from a storage tank in the premises of a LG Polymers unit in Gopalapatnam, Visakhapatnam. This is called auto-polymerisation. Styrene is highly flammable and releases a poisonous gas when burnt. styrene gas uses and effects. From the rest, about 20% is used for elastomers, thermosetting resins, and polymer dispersions, about 15% is used in acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) copolymers, 10% is used in expanded polystyrene (EPS), and the remainder is used t… When inhaled, it mainly affects the upper respiratory tract. The company has not explained how the storage tank ruptured and the gas escaped. Nellore and Chittoor districts witnessed rainfall on Tuesday. 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. Exposure to styrene gas affects the central nervous system, said Dr K Vijay Kumar, Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Andhra Medical College. The gas that leaked from LG Polymers in Visakhapatnam is Styrene. They are able to detect a range of other substances including Isopropenyl Benzene, alpha-Methylstyrene and Methylstyrene. Styrene, also known as ethenylbenzene, vinylbenzene, and phenylethene, is an organic chemical compound. The temperature has to be continuously monitored, and any exposure to light or heat may result in polymerisation. Dr. D Raghunatha Rao, Former Director of Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, on Styrene gas leak and its effect on human beings, explained, “Styrene is primarily used in the production of polystyrene plastics and resins. As explained, styrene has to be stored in gas tanks under 20°C to keep it stable. 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. Styrene gas is primarily used in the production of polystyrene plastics and resins mainly in the plastics industry and polystyrene factories. Information on styrene (also known as ethenylbenzene, styrolene, phenylethylene, vinylbenzene) for use in responding to chemical incidents. What is Styrene Gas? (Text/Inputs: Reuters) The factory was established in 1961, originally as Hindustan Polymers, to manufacture polystyrene. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted that a few districts in AP are going to witness light to moderate rain in the next 24 hours. In reaction with other monomers such as acrylonitrile and/or butadiene, it is used to synthetize rubber or latex. Also Read: Vizag Gas Leak Tragedy Kills Several Animals, News | It was merged with McDowell & Co of the UB Group in 1978, then taken over in 1997 by South Korea-based LG Chem, which renamed it LG Polymers. About half the gas leaked before it was contained. “Breathlessness, respiratory problems, irritation in eyes, indigestion, nausea, transient loss of consciousness, unsteady gait, giddiness are caused by exposure to it. A company official said 1,800 tonnes of styrene was stored in a tank of capacity 2,400 tonnes. As the styrene was stagnant for 44 days, officials said, it was possible that some gas accumulated at the ceiling of the storage tank and its temperature rose beyond the specified 20°C, and the styrene started vaporising and escaped. It is widely used in the fiberglass boat industry. What happens if someone is exposed to styrene gas? Local exhaust ventilation is genera lly preferred because it can control the emissions of the contaminant at its source, preven ting dispersion of it into the general work area. The plant uses raw material styrene to make its products. Why could the inhibitor not prevent what happened? According to to a toxic substances registry by the US CDC, Styrene, which in its pure form is sweet smelling, is used in 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 "food-use" items and carpet backing. Yodasoft Technologies Pvt Ltd. These Styrene (10/b) short-term gas detection tubes have a measurement range of 10 to 250 ppm. In this incident, people were exposed to the gas for a short duration, so there may not be any long-term effects,” Dr Kumar said. It is stored in factories as a liquid, but evaporates easily, and has to be kept at temperatures under 20°C. © Copyright Sakshi Post 2021 All rights reserved. What impact does NZ's series win against Pakistan have on WTC table? However, in people suffering from respiratory illness such as asthma, and those who have chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, these conditions may get exaggerated, Dr Kumar said. As a safety measure, the styrene tanks are never filled to capacity. Share post ; For all the latest Explained News, download Indian Express App. 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. It is toxic to the brain and lungs. Animal studies have reported effects on the entral nervous system, liver, kidney, and eye and nasal irritation from inhalation exposure to styrene. The pharmaceutical industry and perfumeries are using small quantities of styrene as an additive in perfumes and medicine. Styrene has many other end uses - polystyrene for instance is polymerised styrene which can be used as a plastic sheet or foamed to make polystyrene cups and containers etc. The Instagram 'copyright infringement' scam many have fallen prey to, Supreme Court central vista judgment: What the petitioners argued, On Nile, a Grand Dam divides African nations, Four workers dead, six critical due to toxic gas leak in Rourkela Steel Plant, SC to hear pleas against anti-conversion laws in Uttarakhand, UP, Madam Chief Minister trailer: Richa Chadha proclaims 'Kunwari hoon, tej katari hoon, tumhaari hoon', The White Tiger review round-up: Critics call it the 'anti-Slumdog Millionaire', Ratan Tata travels to Pune to meet ailing former employee, wins praise from netizens, Netizens react with memes and jokes to WhatsApp’s latest terms of service, INDvAUS 3rd Test Playing XI: Rohit replaces Mayank, Navdeep to debut, Wine and dine with Indian cricketers scam busted, tickets sold at Rs 31k, India needs low-input, high-output agriculture. Authorities say the leak came from styrene, a principal raw material at the plant, which makes polystyrene plastic. Short term exposure to styrene in humans results in mucous membrane irritation and eye irritation and gastrointestinal effects. Photos | Studies have shown that inhalation of styrene can result in changes in the lining of the nose and damage to the liver. Styrene is also used as an intermediate to produce copolymers — which are polymers derived from one or more species of monomers such as styrene. It is a derivative of benzene (C6H6). Styrene, a clear colorless liquid, is a derivative of benzene used extensively in the development of a range of polymers and copolymers important in the manufacture of plastic, rubber, insulation, fiberglass, carpet backings, and related products. Experts say that if people are exposed to the gas for a long period, there is a chance of their developing leukaemia and headaches. The gas leaked from this tank when officials were preparing to reopen the factory that was shut for 44 days due to the lockdown. Styrene is a chemical compound used to manufacture plastic and rubber. In Visakhapatnam, the styrene gas leak caused acute breathlessness among many people, a few of whom asphyxiated to death. Hyderabad: There are no industries in Telangana that use styrene gas In its native form, according to industry experts. Styrene is a colorless liquid gas that evaporates easily. A look at its structure, the kind of industries that use it, and the kind of health hazards experts associate it with: Styrene is an organic compound with the formula C8H8, its molecular structure as pictured. More than half of the styrene produced is made into polystyrene, a light, stiff plastic widely used in injection-molded or foamed articles. Powered by It is estimated that more than 50% of the total styrene produced is used to make polystyrene. Liver, blood, kidney, and stomach effects have been observed in animals following chronic oral exposure. Styrene is also used as an intermediate to produce copolymers — which are polymers derived from one or more species of monomers such as styrene. LG Polymers where the Vizag gas leak took place dealt with the production of such polystyrene materials including expandable polystyrene, a versatile plastic used to make a wide variety of consumer products like toys and appliances. Styrene is a colorless liquid gas that evaporates easily. The PTBC chemical is expected to prevent any further damage by the leak of Styrene gas. Within a few hours, the gas had killed 11 people and injured hundreds of others. Entertainment | Visakhapatnam gas leak: What is styrene gas? Styrene is the precursor to polystyrene and several copolymers. 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