Industrialization is the most important factor in economic growth and improved living standards. However, when negligence and safety violation dominate the massive industrialization, confusion arises on whether the economic growth and development are worth the loss of life in these revolutionary industries. China is the second largest economy due to the continued investment in industrialization but for all the great economic gains, workplace safety still dominates the media. The Tianjin explosions in 2015 were termed as the pinnacle of the safety deterioration because the explosions caused more than 178 deaths and injured about 677 individuals. According to Zhao et al. (2018), the Tianjin biochemical explosion was one of the multiple accidents of Chinese chemical manufactures. The authors argued that between 2006 and 2017 there were over 3974 hazardous chemical casualty accidents that led to approximately 5203 deaths (Zhao et al., 2018). The Tianjin explosion was a wake-up call for the Chinese government to enhance law and order in the bid to enhance safety.
However, on July 12, 2018, the world witnessed another Chinese chemical manufacturing plant in flames. The Yibin Hengda Company, located at a Sichuan Province Industrial Park, was all in frames with black fumes dominating the media. Six other explosions followed the first explosion within a period of ten minutes. Liu Ping, an official at the company stated, “I heard an enormous explosion, enormous, and felt tremors,” (Buckley, 2018) to describe the first explosion that was also the biggest and the loudest which occurred around 6:30 pm. It shattered the glass on all surrounding buildings living residents afraid of a terrorist or nuclear attack. The next six explosions were not as loud as the first was but intensified the fear. The firefighters arrived in time but could only succeed to put out the fire at around 11:30 pm stating that the fire’s magnitude was due to methanol although reports have not confirmed these reports. The explosion because caused 19 deaths and 12 injuries (Reuters, 2018). The Yibin Hengda Company caused panic among the residents of Jiang'an County, Sichuan area due to the chemicals emitted. The company produces 300 tons per year (tpy) of benzoic acid and 2,000 tpy of 5-nitroisophthalic acid thus justifying the fears by the residents (Reuters, 2018). The arguments that the company violated most of the laws and it produced other chemicals has intensified the fears. Hence, the purpose of this study to determine the chemicals exposed following the explosion, the dangers they pose, and the strategies undertaken to resolve the hazardous chemicals emitted. Addressing these issues will help determine whether the chemicals are lethal to the residents and determine the best strategies that would mitigate the harms.
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Yibin Hengda Company
The fact that the company does not have an official website raises questions on its legitimacy. Thus, resulting in allegations that the company operated without the knowledge of the government. However, the company won the environmental inspector's approval to build the plant in Jiang'an County on December 20, 2016. Zhangzhou Juyang Chemical Company Ltd and Zhangzhou Meicheng Environmental Protection Equipment Company Ltd. own Yibin Hengda Company (Sichuan Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment, 2016). These companies specialize in the development of chemical products as documented in the inspection document. The plant convinced the inspectors that it was able to produce Benzoic acid and 5-nitroisophthalic acid without polluting the environment (Sichuan Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment, 2016). However, different reports after the explosion, for instance, an official ministry official argued that the plant did not undergo safety inspections and violated environmental laws and regulations.
The Chemicals Involved
5-nitroisophthalic acid
Yibin Hengda Company produces 2,000 typ of 5-nitroisophthalic acid noted as C 8 H 5 NO 6 has a molecular weight of 211.13 g/mol (National Center for Biotechnology Information, n.d.). This chemical is vital in medicine production and dyes. According to the CDH, handling of the product is limited to laboratories and other medicine producing companies hence the hazard sign. It contains three hazard statements namely H315, H319, and H335 that cause skin irritation, serious eye irritation, and respiratory irritation. However, there is little information on the physiochemical composition and hazardous nature of the chemical. The inadequate tests make it difficult to articulate the dangers caused by 5-nitroisophthalic acid exposed during the explosion. The compound is non-flammable and is excluded from carcinogenesis chemicals (National Center for Biotechnology Information, n.d.). Therefore, it is evident that it was not the cause of the fire but still unclear on the implications of its exposure to the environment. Lastly, the chemical emits carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides when exposed to oxygen due to its high oxidation.
Benzoic Acid
Unlike 5-nitroisophthalic acid, more information and tests on benzoic acid enable the study to determine the main dangers. Benzoic acid is a major product used in food preservation but is toxic and highly flammable. It causes severe skin irritation, eye damage, and targets specific organs if the individual or animal has repeated exposure to the acid hence the hazard statement of H315, H318, and H372 respectively (National Center for Biotechnology Information, n.d.). Unlike most products that are combustive in one state and dormant in other, benzoic acid is combustive as a gas, liquid and solid thus making it difficult to control or extinguish. Safety and fire management call for use of water fog, foam and dry chemical powder rather than using a water jet and carbon dioxide when the fire is large (National Center for Biotechnology Information, n.d.). When burnt, the acid emits toxic fumes that contain benzene, phenol, and carbon oxides. The accumulation of benzoic dust in the chimneys and other outlet pipes also increases the risks of ignition thus requiring regular cleaning and disposal techniques to prevent explosions.
Dangers Posed by the Chemicals Emitted
The thick plumes that formed dark clouds in Jiang'an after the chemical plant explosion interfered with the atmosphere because it emitted carbon and other greenhouse gases (Buckley, 2018). As stated in the previous chapter, inadequate tests diminish the understanding of 5-nitroisophthalic acid but after the reaction, it emits carbon and nitrogen oxides. These gases are responsible for the continued global warming that the world is fighting to mitigate. The carbon monoxide is lethal when inhaled and with the cloud above reducing the air circulation, respiratory problems are likely to increase. Benzoic acid is dangerous due to its combustive nature and severe impacts when inhaled or exposure on the human and animal skin.
Benzoic acid exposure on lab rats demonstrated that repeated exposure results in the acid targeting specific organs that deteriorate the health conditions of the rats. The exposure of benzoic acid on the rats’ ears resulted in irritation of the whole body and internal organ failures in the end (National Center for Biotechnology Information, n.d.). It is difficult to determine the quantity of benzoic acid emitted during the blast, but since the first and more intense blast occurred in the plant’s storage, it is likely that the benzoic acid emitted is higher than recommended by the safety and environmental laws and regulations. Residents neighboring the plant and workers have higher risks compared to other people to suffer from the chemicals emitted because neither of the chemicals is airborne. That is, benzoic tend to condense into dust but the dust is more harmful or lethal when it accumulates. The accumulation of dust in the neighboring residential houses is catastrophic because of the combustive nature of the chemical in its solid form. According to Jinghao and Youze (2018), local hospitals physicians noted that the patients, “Suffered different degrees of hearing loss due to the tremendous sound of the explosion. Tian Huaqing, an employee of the plant, is the most seriously injured of the surviving workers, with a fracture to his right arm, slight lung damage, and numerous scalds” (Jinghao & Youze, 2018). The explosion caused hearing problems and physical injuries whereas it is clear that the lung damage was due to chemical exposure.
Nitrogen and carbon emission effects will affect all people and the country because it is unlikely that after such a blast the country’s carbon emissions will reduce as projected. Other than the two known chemicals, the company also used chemicals to treat its wastewater before discharging it to the sewage and later draining it in Yangtze River. The oil used in separation and polyethylene were instrumental in the plumes of smoke. The rumor that the company engaged in the production of chemicals unknown by the government raises questions on other chemicals that may have been present at the time of the explosion.
However, Wang Lin, the chief of the environmental production bureau in the county, stated that "We’ll take measures such as building impounding pools to collect the sewage during the cleanup of the accident site to ensure that no pollutants are discharged into the Yangtze River” (Jinghao & Youze, 2018). The statement was after assuring the residents that the bureau was monitoring the situation and based on their results, there was no contamination in the water and air. Liu’s assurance even after admitting that absence of inspection of the disposal facilities creates tension among the residents and scholars due to the conspiracies surrounding chemical accidents in China. According to Zhao et al. (2018), past hazardous chemical accidents (HCAs) have been challenging to the central and local governments with the governments delivering positive and false information to the citizens. The government delivers reassuring message to ease the tension of the public without considering the health problems that such chemicals cause on the unsuspecting residents (Zhao et al., 2018). The Tianjin explosion fatalities were high and considered as the worst due to the falsified tests that reduced the urgency to seek medication and the government moves to clean the air and water.
Scene Containment
According to Buckley (2018), firefighters interviewed by the Southern Metropolitan Daily stated that the magnitude of the fire appeared to be fueled by methanol (Buckley, 2018). This statement means that the firefighters used the most suitable method of extinguishing methanol fires, which is water jets and sprays. The images on the fireproof the use of water sprays by the firefighters. Although the firefighters arrived a few minutes after the blast, the workers and residents had tried to put out the fire with carbon dioxide. However, based on the information gathered in regards to benzoic combustion, the two methods are futile. The essence that the firefighters began extinguishing the fire from 6:45 pm to about 11:30 pm demonstrates that their technique or method used was wrong. The use of foam and water fog would have extinguished the fire in less time. According to Jinghao and Youze (2018), the firefighters did not understand the fire design (Jinghao & Youze, 2018). Therefore, the firefighters were lucky to put out the fire.
The July 12, 2018 chemical plant explosion depicted that educating the firefighters on the different chemicals and products to use when dealing with chemical plant explosion is paramount. The bravery and efforts are commendable among the firefighters but lack of information on the different types of fires, flammable chemicals, and toxicity of the chemicals increases the risks of the firefighters. For instance, benzoic dust causes severe health problems and is flammable when it accumulates in one area. Therefore, the firefighters were at risk of catching fire if the dust settled on their clothes (National Center for Biotechnology Information, n.d.). The dust may also cause health problems if plenty of water and soap is not used when cleaning them. Based on the limited knowledge and understanding about the cause of the fire and chemicals involved, the firefighters succeeded in containing the fire because the fire did not spread to neighboring buildings.
The decision by the workers and neighbors to use the carbon dioxide extinguishers demonstrates that the company does not have safety policies and guidelines. Out of the nineteen deaths, sixteen were farmers from the nearby farms (Jinghao & Youze, 2018). The farmers were eager to help but the workers and the community should have basic knowledge on where to meet in case of a fire accident. The essence that the company did not have the right equipment to fight fires caused by the chemicals they produce is baffling and an act of negligence. Therefore, ignorance and negligence defined the community and company’s actions respectively.
The Resolution of the Chemical Explosion
The news outlets and constant government reports argue that investigations are still underway. The arrests of suspects began in August and September but no conviction is yet to be made. The company has remained supportive of the investigation even if most government officials argue that the company is responsible for the blast. For instance, Sun Guangyu, a ministry official, stated, “The investigation found that the owner of the company began building the factory in July 2017 without approval from the local government" (Jia, 2015). The bureau, on the other hand, stated that the company did not undergo proper application procedure pertaining to the production of hazardous chemicals. It was clear that the company ignored the bureau in designing its safety thus making it substandard (Jia, 2015). For all the blame games surrounding the incident, no substantial actions have been made approximately six months after the accident. However, the Jiang’an County compensated the victims and their families while investigations continue.
The government imposed a security measure that prohibiting entry into the plant until the investigations are completed. This move is positive to mitigate the risks of evidence contamination but the continued delays in solving the explosion diminish the government's ability to demonstrate its power in enhancing workplace safety. The claims that the company did not pass the safety requirements but was still operating is proof of the corruption and loopholes in the inspection department. The loopholes mean that the government is still struggling to instill harsh rules and policies to protect workers in the industry. According to Zhao et al. (2018), the government threats of shutting down chemical firms that do not meet the required safety requirements complimented by the corruption within the inspection department proves that such disasters will continue to end lives.
The impacts of Tianjin explosion led to strict measures on safety and location of the chemical plants (Zhao et al., 2018). For instance, the government commanded several companies to relocate and increased the distance required for residential houses from the plants. This move was important as the government tried to mitigate the number of casualties in case of an accident. The confusion surrounding the Yibin Hengda Company diminishes the resolution of the matter because rather than focus on the changes needed blame seems to dominate the incident. The policy changes in Tianjin reduced the number of deaths and injuries but the leniency and existing loopholes will continue to hinder the execution of the safety laws and regulations. Therefore, this study hopes that the government punishes the inspectors and company to end the complacency and negligence respectively.
The paper demonstrated that the recent Chinese chemical manufacturing plant explosion at a Sichuan Province industrial park is one of the thousands of HCAs in China. The explosion led to 19 deaths and injuries to 12 patients but rather than dealing with the main causes, the government and company are still engaging in blame games. The Yibin Hengda Company responsible for producing 300 type benzoic acid and 2,000-typ 5-nitroisophthalic acid may have won the environmental inspector’s approval but the bureau argues that it did not meet the safety requirements. These contrasting approval and past incidents diminish the reliability of the information provided by the government officials and the company.
However, the paper was concerned about establishing the chemical pollution and dangers associated with the chemical plant explosion. It was evident that benzoic acid was lethal whereas an inadequate understanding of 5-nitroisophthalic acid inhibits the understanding of the pollution caused by the explosion. Based on the information gathered, the study disagrees with the preliminary reports in regards to the air and water quality. The emissions following the blast were too much not to contaminate the air or the water given that the carbon oxides. Nitrogen oxides and other chemicals released when benzoic acid reacts with air and water vapor. The evidence provided is sufficient to convince the public and the government to take the matter seriously and avoid the repeat of the false optimistic that caused the death toll in Tianjin explosion. The Chinese government should intensify their efforts in enhancing safety and reducing greenhouse gases emissions.
References
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Jia, H. (2015, September 16). Firm in China Chemical Blast Skirted Safety Rules. Retrieved December 29, 2018, from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/firm-in-china-chemical-blast-skirted-safety-rules/
Jinghao, Y., & Youze, Z. (2018, July 14). Investigation into deadly chemical plant blast in SW China begins. Retrieved December 29, 2018, from https://news.cgtn.com/news/3d3d674e7741444f78457a6333566d54/share_p.html
National Center for Biotechnology Information. 5-Nitroisophthalic acid. Retrieved December 29, 2018, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/12069#section=Top
National Center for Biotechnology Information. Benzoic acid. Retrieved December 29, 2018, from https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/benzoic_acid#section=Safety-and-Hazards
Reuters. (2018, July 13). Seven explosions in 10 minutes: China chemical plant blast kills 19 - VnExpress International. Retrieved December 29, 2018, from https://e.vnexpress.net/news/world/seven-explosions-in-10-minutes-china-chemical-plant-blast-kills-19-3777121.html
Sichuan Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment. (2016, December 20). Announcement on the approval of the environmental impact assessment document for the construction project. Retrieved December 29, 2018, from http://www.schj.gov.cn/xxgklm/gsgg/jsxmhpgs/npzjsxmhjyxbgsgs/201612/t20161220_242771.html
Zhao, L., Qian, Y., Hu, Q., Jiang, R., Li, M., & Wang, X. (2018). An Analysis of Hazardous Chemical Accidents in China between 2006 and 2017. Sustainability , 10 (8), 2935.
