2.

16 Chemical Disasters

Handling large quantities

of HAzCHEM ous Chemicals in installations

isolated storages, and during transportation, poses the grave risk of a sudden release

1861 MAH

of copious quantities of toxicants in the environment. There are about

(Major Accident Hazard) units in India, handling a large number of chemicals as raw

materials, in processes, products,

and wastes, with flammable, explosive, corrosive,

toxic and noxious properties. Any accident involving these may havean adverse impact

on both the community and the environment.

Large quantities of chemicals are also stored/processed in industries that are

located in densely populated areas. Inappropriate and haphazard construction and the

of awareness and preparedness on the part of the community further enhance

their vulnerability. The potential of heavy losses and adverse consequences on

the environment due to a chemical accident calls for further improvement of safety

measures in all processes/procedures and the adoption of appropriate methods for

handling HAZCHEMs

The Bhopal Gas Disaster in December 1984 brought into sharp focus the

unprecedented potential of HAZCHEM like Methyl Isocyanate in terms of

loss of life

health, injury and the long-term effects on the population and environment. It created

compelling evidence

to approach DM and chemical safety holistically. The era of

restructuring with

the induction of new HAZCHEM control systems and procedures

of over the world in the wake of the Bhopal disaster also resulted in the strengthening

of institutional mechanisms at local, district, state and central levels for the management

chemical disasters in India. The consolidation of these and the mobilisation of corporate support for the
preparation mechanisms

emergency plans is an integral part of these and implementation of

Guidelines

Sources of Chemical Disasters

Chemical accidents may originate in

ations including during commiss

Manufacturing formulation and disposal.

operations; maintenance

(ii) Material handling and storage in manufacturing facilities, and i

dd

storages; warehouses and godowns including tank farms in ports and

and fuel depots

(iii) Transportation (road, rail, air, water, and pipelines)

Causative Factors Leading to Chemical Disasters

Chemical disasters, in general, may result from

(i) Fire

Explosion.

(ii)

(iii) Toxic release

Civ) Poisoning.

(v) Combinations of the above

Chemical disasters may occur due to process deviations concerning the chemie

of the process, pressure, temperature and other identified parameters with regal!

the state of the substance i.e., solid

liquid o

gas, proximity to other toxic substr

and the probability of a runaway reaction due to the incidental mixing of two or

HAZCHEMs w

dissimilar properties. In addition, it may be due to hardware

resulting in large-scale spills of toxic substances (in any form) due to

le

containment, or an explosion. Further, Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour

Expl

(BLEVE) may occur due to sparks, shocks or frictional forces on the chemicals d

transportation
The effects can be further the micro-meteorology

of the

compounded by

wind speed and direction, rate of precipitation, toxicity/quantity of chemical re

population in the reach of release, probability of formation of lethal mixtures (it

or other mixtures) and other activities being performed in closer vxl

industrial

It is very important to understand that the state of the chemical substance

liquid or gas) contributes substantially to the gravity of the accident and affects

measures. Chemicals in solid form may have devastating effects if their propa

suddenly changed (e.g., sublimation) due to pressure and temperature con

which they are accidentally exposed. If solids continue to remain in solid

damage will be negligible

failure

may cause large-scale spills of liquids or of

Any human chlorine or Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) which can cause BLEVE
amp

ressed gases like lives and the environment. The release of compressed

can directly affect human may also impact the

ive rise to the

and cryogenic stresses, which ses g

structure or building, compounding the damage

nnounding

116.1 Initiators of Chemical Accidents

A number of factors including human errors could spark off chemical accidents

ith the potential to become chemical disasters. These are

Process and Safety System Failures

Technical errors design defects, fatigue, metal failure, corrosion etc.

ii) Human errors neglecting safety instructions, deviating from specified

procedures etc.

procedures, non

(iii) Lack of information absence of emergency

warning

disclosure of line of treatment etc.

poor
organisational errors

poor emergency planning and coordination, etc.,

communication with

public, non-compliance with mock and preparedness.

which are required

for ensuring a state of quick response

(iv)

Natural Calamities

disasters, which can also trigger

The Indian subcontinent is highly prone to natural during the orissa

cal disasters. Damage to phosphoric acid sludge containment Port, during an

uper cyclone in 1999 and the release of acrylonitrile at earthquake in 2001, of the recent examples.

are some

Terrorist Attacks/Sabotage

likely terrorist and

vulnerability to chemical

disasters is further compounded by and

Mafare activities, which sabotage and attack on

HAZCHEM installations any

include anywhere, and at nsportation vel

occur at sources listed above chemical weapons

e. Guidel

of chemical warfare agents and nes for the management

mass destruction will be issued separately.

Impact of Chemical Disasters

In addition to loss of life, the major consequences of chemical disasters include

impact on livestock, flora/fauna, the environment (air, soil, water) and losses to industry

as shown in Figure 2.31.

chemical accidents may be categorised as a major accident or a disaster depending

upon the number of casualties, injuries, damage to the property or environment. A

major accident is defined in the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous

Chemicals (MsiHC) Rules. 1989, issued under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,

whereas disaster' is defined in the DM Act, 2005.

Major Chemical Accidents in India

Following the Bhopal Gas Disaster in 1984, major incidences of chemical disasters

in India include a fire in an oil well in Andhra Pradesh 2003) a vapour cloud explosion

in the Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited Refinery (HPCL), Vishakhapatnam.

the Indian Petrochemicals

and an explosion

Corporation Limited (PCE)

(1997)

in

Gas cracker Complex, Nagothane, Maharashtra (1990). Over 20. major ehemical

accidents have been reported in MAH units during 2002-06.

Disaster Manag

21

2.16.2 Preparedness

India to address chemical risk

Safety initiatives taken in

The comprehensive framework exists in our country.

A number

legal/
onal

liability, insurance and

of regulations covering the safety in transportation

compensations have been enacted

Following are the relevant on chemical disaster management, prevailing

provisions

n country

Petroleum Act 1934

Ex

osives Act 1884

2. Factories Act 1948

Insecticides Act 1968

3. Environment Protection Act 1986

Motor Vehicles Act 1988

4. Public Liability Insurance Act 1991

Disaster Management Act 2005

Government of India has further reinforced the legal framework on chemical safety

and

management of chemical accidents by enacting new ru

es such as MSIHC Rules

EPPR Rules, SMPv Rules, cMv Rules. Gas cylinder Rules, Hazardous waste Rules

Dock Workers Rules and by way of amendments to them

The National Disaster Management Authority of India had come out

(NDMA)

with very specific guidlines on Chemical Disaster Management. The guidelines have

been prepared to provide the directions to ministries, departments and state authorities

for the preparatio

for a of their detailed disaster management plans. These guidelines cal

proactive, participatory, multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral approach at various

evels for chemical disaster preparedness and responso. Further, NDMA has provided

specific inputs to the GOM

of future chemical disasters in the country.

Preparedness refers to the activities necessary to build and sustain performance

of the o

er domains required or effective DM.

across a

time-sensitive tasks that need to be undertaken hese include a range of

government and within the involving efforts at all evels of

preparedness

private sector. One of its major component is medical

The guidelines for medical preparedness and response will serve as broad

principles for preparing hospital DM Plans and

emergency medical

response plans so

the effects of can be minimised in of morbidity and mortality in

event of mass causa

y due to chemical disasters. The MoH & Fw will ensure the

incorporation of

these guidelines for med

all hazard' medical management plan. The industry dical management the

medical setup requisites for the management will ensure the establishment of

of an on-site chemical emergency. All

stakeholders of CDM will ensure that these plans are included as part of the mainl

Plans at the level of central

state and district authorities and industrial installat

of will be assured through proper training and mock d

The major areas of preparedness are given below

Education and Training

(A) Education on CDM s necessary for all the stakeholders. Disaster-related topici

shall be included in the syllabi of professional colleges at appropriate levels

(i) Regular educational programmes in the form of symposia, exhibitions and

demonstrations shall be encouraged

(ii) Educational programmes shall be conducted in various languages according

to geographical locations. Disaster-related manuals and pamphlets will be

published in the vernacular so that they can easily be understood by less

educated people.

(iii) Electronic media will be used to impart educational knowledge to the

community at large

(iv) Disaster-related education material will be available for all stakeholders at

various levels

(B) Inthe long term, DM education could be concurrently added in the curriculum of

all students starting at the secondary education

level. Some advanced content

could be part of the curriculum of professionals and administrators who h

tical roles to play in on-site and off-site emergencies. The minimum criteria

of educational qualification of unskilled worker in MAH units shall be upgraded

to the senior secondary education level. The State Factory Inspectorate will hat

requisite technical knowledge to adequately address a

the issues pertaining

CDM in industrial audits and minimum standards shall

be laid do

plays an important role in proper implementation of various disaster

(C) Training

related activities. sops (Standard operating Procedures

will be laid down

first responders who form a very important component of DM, both at

OffSie

and on-site locations. Training will also be imparted to other stakeholders f

industries, regulatory bodies, district/state authorities. The training programm

will be conducted at national, state and district levels by specific gove

and non-government institutes including the NIDM, and other academic instit
Technical training plays an important role in understanding the probable

causes that can lead to a chemical disaster at installation sites

rs Chemical Disasters Do's and Don'ts

2.16.3

Precautions to be taken during and after the Chemical (Industrial) Accidents

ic, evacuate calmly and quickly perpendicular to wind direction through

Do not p

the designated escape route

Keep a

wet handkerchief or piece of cloth/sari on face during evacuation

the sick, elderly, weak, handicapped and other people who are unable to

Keep

evacuate inside house and close all the doors and windows tightly

4. Do not consume the uncovered food/ water etc. open to the air, drink only from

bottle.
Change into fresh clothing after reaching safe place/shelter, and wash hands

properly.

6. Inform fire & Emergency Services, Police and medical services from safe location

by calling 101, 100 and 108 respectively

7. Listen

to PA (Public Address al) System of the plant factory, local radio/TV

channels for advice from district administration/fire/health/police and other

concerned authorities.

8. Provide correct and accurate information to government official

Inform others on occurrence of event at public gathering places (like school,

shopping centre, theatre etc.)

10. Don't pay attention to the rumou

rs and don't spread rumours