EQ Industrial Services (EQIS) Plant Explosion - Research Paper Example

? EQ Industrial Services (EQIS) Plant Explosion and Introduction Reports on 6th October reveal that the EQ Industrial Services plant located at Apex, a suburb of Raleigh in North Carolina, suffered a big chemical explosion attack. The explosion was preceded by fire followed by additional number of explosions that caused air contamination due to the toxic fumes that were emitted from chlorine. This threatened the lives of people residing near the plant, with evacuation of about 17,000 residents. After the accident, a majority of them had to seek medical attention as a result of the contamination. The plant is a handler of a variety of industrial waste, ranging from household chemicals like sulfur, fertilizer, pesticides and chlorine to paints and solvents. EQ Industrial Services, Inc. is an environmental service company founded in 1997, and is located in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It provides transportation, remediation, industrial cleaning including hazardous waste disposal and recycling, waste handling services including treatment and storage, and emergency services to its municipal and industrial clients. The explosion caused the evacuation of residents; and two weeks later, a chemical reaction exploded forcing emergency crews to evacuate businesses that were located near the plant. The reaction drum contained a solution of sodium metal that ignites on exposure to air or water. Reports claimed that the fumes from the reaction caused burning eyes, was because of chlorine exposure. Ironically, the State Department of Environment and Natural Resources had approved the company’s cleanup plan a day before. Following the accident, EQ Industrial was pinned down and asked to provide a written report on the cause of the explosion and the precautionary measures it had issued to the public. The Environmental Quality Company, which houses highly toxic chemicals, was also at the fire site. The presence of dangerous chemicals rendered fire fighters helpless, and they were forced to watch the flames die out on their own. The fire saw 18 people hospitalized, including nine residents who complained of respiratory distress and one fire fighter who experienced nausea and respiratory problems, and another eight law enforcement officers. This report will recount on the causes, effects and the recommendations associated with this kind of explosion, which was primarily believed to result from chlorine exposure. Symptoms of the victims of the accident as a result of chemical exposure Pulmonary edema and respiratory distresses are among the effects of inhaling high concentrations of chlorine in such an accident. Patients who are exposed to chlorine are prone to immediate onset of rapid breathing, rales, hemoptysis, wheezing or blue discoloration of the skin. Some patients may experience prolonged pulmonary injury resulting in collapse of the lungs and possible death. The lowest lethal concentration exposure is 430 ppm in 30 minutes duration. Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome (RADS) is a chemical irritant asthma that may results due to exposure to chlorine. The smaller diameter of children’s airways makes them more vulnerable to corrosive agents than adults - they are also vulnerable to gas due to their increased minute ventilation per kilogram and failure of evacuating exposed areas. Long-term exposure to chlorine can lead to cancer, teeth corrosion, flulike symptoms and a possibility of acquiring RADS. Pathophysiology of chlorine, which was exposed in this accident Chlorine is a noncombustible gas at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, with a characteristic greenish-yellow color. The effects of the upper and lower respiratory tract are as a result of chlorine’s solubility to water - this is what caused respiratory complains by some victims. This solubility characteristic cause prolonged exposure as it delays the onset of upper airways symptoms for a number of minutes. Moreover, chlorine is denser than air; therefore, it is near ground level, which increases duration of exposure. It is approximated that 0.3-0.5 parts per million, is the threshold odor for chlorine; however, the distinction between toxic and permissible air levels is difficult unless irritation symptoms occur. The severity of the symptoms and their rapid onset increase with the increase in exposure to concentrated chlorine gas - fatalities are observed in concentrations above 400 parts per million. Chlorine reacts with water to form Hypochlorous (HOCl) and Hydrochloric (HCl) acids. Chlorine together with these two derivative acids can cause biological injury. The reactions between chlorine and water, which forms its derivatives, HOCl and HCl, occur as shown in the following equations: A1) Cl2 + H2 O ? HCl (hydrochloric acid) + HOCL (hypochlorous acid) A2) Cl2 + H2 O ? 2 HCl + (O-) (nascent oxygen) B) HOCl ? HCl + (O-) Mechanism of activity Depending on the chemical derivative produced by chlorines’ reaction with water, the anatomic site injured varies as the mechanisms of the derivatives biological activity is poorly understood. Elementary chlorine is a frequent cause of acute damage in the respiratory tract due to its solubility and deep penetration. Reactions of chlorine and tissue water to form hypochlorous acid, hydrochloric acid and generation of free oxygen radicals oxidizes functional groups in cell components results to cellular injury – this could have been some of the causes of injuries during the explosion. The generation of free oxygen radicals by chlorine is thought to cause direct tissue damage, however, this belief remains controversial. Possible health Impacts of chlorine during the accident Exposing the skin to liquid chlorine results in freeze burns of differing severity based on the duration of exposure. Immediate first aid is a requirement for minimizing the severity of the burn. Chlorine is highly volatile under atmospheric conditions; therefore, not many people came into its contact during the explosion except at the site of the leakage. Chlorine gas has an odor similar to household bleach. It has a distinctive, respiratory irritant odor, which is highly detectable at extremely low concentrations. For instance, one part of chlorine per million used as the bleach concentration in a laundry tub is easily detected (The Chlorine institute inc., 1999). A majority of people can smell chlorine at unusually low levels. Five parts per million chlorine concentrations irritates the throat, eyes and nose. A concentration of 1-3 ppm causes respiratory tract irritation and mild eyes after prolonged exposure. Uninformed inhalation of chorine can be detected due to the immediate symptoms, such as coughing, running nose, tears and breathing difficulties that arise due to the reaction between chlorine and moisture – many victims complained of these symptoms after the explosion. The reaction forms a weak acid that cause irritation in the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. Voluntary relocation is always an option for residents who suffer dangerous levels of chlorine exposure – this is the reason why 17000 residents were evacuated. Discomfort and irritation increases with the increase in concentration and duration of exposure (The Chlorine Institute inc., 1999). Coughing, throat infection, excessive salivation and sneezing, may cause apprehension and restlessness in the affected individuals. The effects of chlorine exposure are more hazardous to the young, elderly and people with health problems – actually majority of the victims fell under this category. Individuals subjected to lengthy exposure of high concentrations of chlorine suffer unconsciousness or even death. Therefore, evacuating the area contaminated is very critical during such an emergency. However, if evacuation is impossible, sheltering at a place can help in reducing the exposure. Immediate evacuation and prompt medical attention to the affected individuals aids in reversing the symptoms. Eventually, normal recovery is achieved (The Chlorine institute inc., 1999). Affected individuals have shown varying effects to levels of chlorine inhaled. Pamphlet 90, Molecular Chlorine: Health and Environmental Effects, compiled a list of reported chlorine exposure thresholds and human responses as follows (The Chlorine institute inc., 1999). 0.2-0.4 Ppm threshold of odor varied considerable among the subjects (a decrease in odor perception occurs over time) 1-3 Ppm mild, mucous membrane irritation, short lived tolerance of up to one hour 5-15 Ppm moderate irritation of the respiratory tract 30 Ppm immediate chest pain, vomiting, dyspnea, and cough 40-60 Ppm toxic pneumonitis and pulmonary edema 430 Ppm Short lived fatality of 30 minutes • 1000 Ppm: Highly fatal Lethal exposure is caused by exposure to the leaking source with no protective respiratory gear. Chronically-exposed workers are reported to have respiratory complaints due to inflammation by acids of chlorine in the mucous membranes of the nose, corrosion of teeth and susceptibility to tuberculosis on exposure to a 5ppm concentration. However, these effects are doubtful as recent studies do not confirm their significance (ACGIH, 1991). In a study published in 1970; regarding workers exposed to chlorine for an average of 10.9 years, only six of them had exposures below 1 ppm while 21 had TWAs above 0.52 ppm. There was no evidence of permanent lung damage, although 9.4 percent in the experiment group acquired abnormal EKGs compared to 8.2 percent in the control group. Those exposed to concentrations above 0.5ppm revealed high levels of fatigue (ACGIH, 1991). In 1981, a study that involved 29 subjects exposed to concentrations of up to 2.0 ppm for 4 and 8-hour periods was published. The effects of exposure to 1.0 ppm for about 8 hours are not revealed on exposure to 0.5 ppm concentration. Fourteen subjects were exposed to 1.0 ppm, and six showed an increase in mucous secretions in the hypopharynx and from the nose. Exposure at the 1.0 ppm level had symptoms of perceptible responses for sensations of burns and itches in the nose and eyes (ACGIH, 1991). A further study in 1983 revealed pulmonary function decreases at 1.0 ppm concentration levels, while 0.5 ppm exposure levels had no effect. Prolonged exposure to low concentrations of chlorine causes acne (chloracne) and tooth enamel damage. One case of myasthenia gravis associated with chlorine exposure has been confirmed (NLM, 1995). Chronic health effects are not associated to short-term chlorine exposure, but are common in people who have repeatedly been exposed to chlorine. Repeated exposures cause lung irritation and result in cough, mucus production, or breathing difficulties that are either short lived or can last for years. The effects of chlorine exposure can be worsened by smoking cigarettes. The risk of developing health problems can be minimized by quitting cigarette smoking regardless of the duration one has been smoking. Some Chlorine Reactivity Profile that could have exacerbated the situation at the explosion site Chlorine supports the burning of most common metals and reacts, with them, explosively. In the presence of soot, carbon, rust or other catalysts, chlorine ignites steel at 100°C. At 50°C, it ignites dry steel wool. Chlorine reacts either as a liquid or gas. It reacts explosively with alcohols, molten aluminum, Silane, bromine pentaflouride and wax. Chlorine and 1-chloro-2-propyne undergo an explosive reaction with iron as the catalyst. Reaction with dibutyl phthalate explodes at 118°C, while that with glycerol explodes at 70-80°C. Acetylene’s reaction explodes on exposure to sunlight or heating whereas explosions are observed on exposure of ethylene over mercury and mercury (I) oxide to heat or light. Hydrogen explodes on initiation by light whereas reactions with diethyl ether and diethyl zinc have been observed to ignite. Gasoline reacts exothermically and then detonates, whereas naphtha-sodium hydroxide mixture undergoes a violent explosion. Zinc chloride undergoes an exothermic reaction. Chlorine also reacts with hydrides of potassium sodium, copper and carbides of iron, uranium, zirconium, tin, aluminum foil and powder, vanadium powder, brass foil, manganese powder, potassium, copper foil, calcium powder, iron wire, antimony powder, magnesium, sodium, zinc, bismuth and germanium. Bubbling chlorine gas through cold methanol causes ignition of the reaction and a mild explosion. Excess chloride and ammonia explode or ignite when warmed. Chlorine ignites in the presence of hydrazine, hydroxylamine and calcium nitride. Chlorine put in a cyanuric acid contaminated biuret forms explosive nitrogen trichloride. An explosive N-chloro derivative is rapidly formed in the reaction with aziridine. Red phosphorus, arsine, phosphine, Silane, diborane, stibine, white phosphorus, boron, active carbon, silicon, and arsenic are observed to ignite or explode. Sulfides ignite at ambient temperatures - as a liquid, it ignites natural and synthetic rubber. Trialkylboranes and tungsten dioxide ignite in the presence of chlorine. Possible Signs and symptoms of exposure 1. Acute exposure: this is the short term exposure to chlorine concentrations. Exposure to low concentrations is accompanied by sneezing, excessive salivation, restlessness, general excitement and irritations in the eyes, nose and throat. High concentrations exposure causes breathing difficulties, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, cyanosis, headache, choking, violent coughing, laryngeal edema, acute tracheobronchitis, and chemical pneumonia. Frostbites on the eyes and skin occur as a result of contact with liquid chlorine. These symptoms were very common among the explosion victims. 2. Chronic exposure: This is the exposure for a lengthy duration. Exposure to low concentrations results in tooth enamel corrosion, chloracne, and increased susceptibility to tuberculosis, sore throat, hemoptysis or severe chest pain. Key Implications of the explosion A high density area could extend up to 25 miles, housing as many as 70,000 people. About 5% of the population (35,000 people), will receive lethal exposure and half of them will succumb to the effects before or during treatment. Fifteen percent of the remaining population will be hospitalized while the rest will undergo emergency treatments at the scene; about 450,000 will still be worried and seek further treatment at the local health care facilities. Chlorine explosion destroys the storage tanks and damages sensitive control systems, other equipments, and plant facilities within a 20-meter radius of the blast. Metal corrosion will be highly observed in an area that is under high chlorine exposure while a lot of auto accidents will occur during evacuation from the scene. The plant will be temporarily closed due to the damage caused by the blast while overwhelming concern will disrupt the means of communication in the local area. Health care facilities will be overly crowded by large numbers of the injured and “well worried” residents. The national economy is affected as closing of the plant renders thousands jobless and consumer confidence lost. Millions are incurred as cost in reversing the contamination, destruction and other effects caused by the blast and in repair of the plant. Individuals who suffer severe lung damage will undergo long-term treatment and monitoring whereas those with minor injuries will recover in about 7 to 14 days. Recommendations Handling and Storage Procedures for Chlorine Training in handling, storage and knowledge of the proper personal protective equipment is a requirement when working with chlorine. Chlorine should be stored in tightly sealed containers offering protection from physical damage, exposure to weather and extreme temperature changes. It should be placed on cool, dry and a well ventilated area. Flammable gases, vapors, and combustible substances such as alcohol-based products, gasoline, ammonia, petroleum products, sulfur, hydrocarbons, and acetylene should be stored separately from chlorine cylinders. Chlorine is not combustible, but in the presence of these chemicals, it can explode or cause a fire. Smoke or open flames cause chloride to explode. Chlorine is a strong oxide and measures should be taken to separate it from its products or incompatible materials. In case a fire erupts in the presence of chlorine cylinders, they should be promptly but safely removed. If it is not possible to remove them safely, water can be sprinkled on the cool, non leaking cylinders. However, under no circumstances should the leaking cylinders be sprayed with water as chlorine will react explosively as discussed earlier. Chemical or carbon dioxide extinguishers should never be used to put fires where chlorine is involved. Pre-hospital care Pre-hospital care providers have an aim of preventing contamination. They ensure workers in the plant wear protective clothing as chlorine can condense on skin causing irritation and burns. The use of chemical respirator or self-contained breathing apparatus with full face mask protects the upper and lower airways from the effects of chlorine gas. This corresponds to an OSHA level A or level B PPE. Staging area should be located upwards in relation to chlorine gas site. If chlorine leaks, individuals should be removed from the toxic environment, and if need be, immediate commencement of decontamination of the eyes and skin is done. Medical personnel can collect the gas in containers for both qualitative and quantitative identification by use of mobile equipments. Individuals are advised to seek higher altitudes to prevent excessive exposure as chlorine is denser than air and tends to accumulate near ground levels. Emergency Department Care Saline reduces the irritation caused by chlorine in the eyes and skin. Irrigation of these organs with saline is a 3-5 minute activity. For individuals with ocular injuries, a reagent strip determines the initial pH while irrigation with 0.9% saline is done until pH of 7.4 is achieved. Exposure to liquid chlorine causes off-gassing whereas chlorine gas does not. During treatment, partial pressure of oxygen is maintained at 60 mm Hg. Oxygen toxicity is a possible result in the long-term (over 24 hours) exposure to fractions of inspired oxygen (FIO2), which are greater than 50%. Patients with ARDS are prone to restrictions in some fluids. Management of respiratory symptoms is done by use of bronchodilators, either inhaled albuterol or other beta-agonists. Improvements in airway pressure, blood gas parameters, and lung compliance has been observed in animal models treated with aerosolized terbutaline. The role of inhaled ipratropium is yet to be defined. Both analgesia and cough are suppressed by the addition of 1% lidocaine solution to nebulized albuterol. Presence of edema requires use of fiberoptic acid while use of large size endotracheal tube optimizes pulmonary toilet. Hypoxemic respiratory failure is treated by positive pressure ventilation whereas inverse ratio and high positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) of about 8-10 mm Hg is beneficial to ARDS patients. Improved pulmonary functions are observed in animal models that undergo, immediate proper, positioning after exposure to chlorine, whereas complications in pulmonary gas exchange are rampant in those that undergo supine treatment. Some authors recommend the use of nebulized solutions of sodium bicarbonate in neutralizing hydrochloric acid formed when chlorine reacts with water. This recommendation lacks evidential clinical trials. It is questionable on grounds of theoretic knowledge that explains an exothermic reaction between bicarbonate and hydrochloric acid. Nevertheless, clinical improvements have been reported in several pediatric and adult cases in which the patients inhaled sodium bicarbonate as treatment for pulmonary injury caused by exposure to chlorine gas. Following chlorine exposure, 44 patients were randomly treated with either nebulized sodium bicarbonate or saline. Corticosteroids and nebulized, short-acting ?2-agonists were included in the treatment of all patients. Although patients in the sodium bicarbonate treatment group had higher FEV1 values at 120 and 240 minutes, questionnaires filled by patients in both groups showed no differences in their quality of life (ACGIH, 1994). References ACGIH. (1994). Threshold limit values for chemical substances and physical agents and biological exposure indices. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. ACGIH. (1991). Documentation of the threshold limit values and biological exposure indices. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. Genium, P. (1992). Material safety data sheet No. 53. Schenectady, NY: Genium Publishing Corporation. NLM. (1995). Hazardous substances data bank: Chlorine. Bethesda, MD: National Library of Medicine. Cincinnati, OH: American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists. The chlorine institute inc. (1999). Chlorine: Effects on Health and the Environment. Retrieved from http//www.chlorineinstitute.org/files/PDFs/ChlorineEffectsOnHealth.pdf Read More