Category: Environmental Issues
Oil spill a mile long threatens San Francisco bay
30th Oct 2009- The Dubai Star, a vessel anchored in San Francisco bay has apparently leaked oil into the bay, threatening the marine environment in the bay. The US Coast Guard is reportedly handling this issue and monitoring the area.
Oil spills are one of the major hazards of transporting goods (including oil itself) over long distances across the globe. The introduction of bigger and larger supertankers and giant supertankers have only increased the risks of environmental disasters manifold in this decade.
Dow Chemical pipeline leak forces evacuation
Oct 30-An underground pipeline carrying Tolune Di-isocyante ( a highly toxic intermediate coomonly known by the acronym TDI and which is used in manufacturing polyurethanes) in a Dow facility in Freeport, Tx leaked heavily, prompting the evacuation of more than 75 families staying in the area. As of the now the leak has stopped but the the evacuated families cannot return to their homes, at least until Sunday, according to reports, to ensure that there is no danger to them if the chemical leaks again during repair.
Dow is reportedly footing the hotel expenses of the evacuated people. However, other residents of Freeport are questioning the delay in response to the leak. The pipeline leak was apparently reported on Sunday, 25 Oct but real work to repair it started only on Monday, 26th Oct.
Though underground pipelines are a safer way to transport hazardous chemicals (as compared to say, tank trucks or railroad cars), the fact remains that small leaks can remain undetected for long times and pollute the surroundings. It is not known if there are mandatory inspections of such buried pipelines every few years (and if they are whether they are really done). If anybody can answer these questions, please post it in the comments section.
BTW there were some reports saying that the residents were not really in danger and the evacuation was “precautionary” in nature. However this cannot be true as TDI is a known toxic chemical, the properties of which are lised on the EPA website as below
From http://www.epa.gov/ttn/atw/hlthef/toluene2.html
2,4-Toluene diisocyanate is primarily used as a chemical intermediate in the production of polyurenthane products. 2,4-Toluene diisocyanate is extremely toxic from acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) exposures. Acute exposure to high levels of 2,4-toluene diisocyanate in humans, via inhalation, results in severe irritation of the skin and eyes and affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and central nervous systems (CNS). Chronic inhalation exposure to 2,4-toluene diisocyanate in humans has resulted in significant decreases in lung function in workers, an asthma-like reaction characterized by wheezing, dyspnea, and bronchial constriction. Animal studies have reported significantly increased incidences of tumors of the pancreas, liver, and mammary glands from exposure to 2,4-toluene diisocyanate via gavage (experimentally placing the chemical in the stomach). The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified 2,4-toluene diisocyanate as a Group 2B, possible human carcinogen.
Australian Oil & Chemical Spill highlights issues of transportation safety
The Australian state of Queensland declared parts of the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Island and Bribie Island disaster zones after a container ship belonging to the Swire Group leaked fuel during a storm. The oil spill has contaminated about 37 miles of pristine beaches and mangroves, reports say. Queensland’s Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said today the spill was about 230 tons, reports Bloomberg here.
The oil spill was caused when the ship that was carrying containers of Ammonium Nitrate was buffeted in a storm, leading to some 31 containers being thrown overboard into the sea. One of these same containers apparently banged against the ship’s hull, piercing it’s fuel tanks and causing the oil spill.
While everybody has been focused on the oil spill, there has been no coverage on what is being done regarding the ammonium nitrate filled containers. Were they recovered intact? Has any ammonium nitrate leaked into the sea? How much? What are the consequences?
In industrial plants, a lot of care is taken while designing the plant to ensure safety of operations. In the past twenty years, especailly since the Bhopal disaster, the worldwide chemical industry has become more safety conscious, with an impressive track record. However these chemicals after manufacture have to be shipped to various parts of the world in large quantities and this accident has exposed how much more vulnerable we are to such happenings. The plant that produced this ammonium nitrate may be very safe, with not a singel case of environmentally unsafe discharge, but the transportation of this chemical has led to a big environmental incident.
Local authorities, worldwide standards bodies and engineering professionals should now re-think how we can make transportation of chemicals as safe as their production and use.
As usual, your comments are welcome.
