On May 08, 2020, The Andhra Pradesh (AP) state government has formed a 5-member high-powered committee led by Neerabh Kumar Prasad (special chief secretary of environment, forests, science and technology) to probe into the causes behind the leakage of styrene gas from the LG Polymers India Ltd located at RR Venkatapuram in Visakhapatnam. The panel required to submit its final report within one month.
Key Points:
i.The gas leak had claimed 12 lives and left more than 200 people ill after they inhaled the styrene gas.
ii.Terms of Reference (TOR): The terms of reference of the committee includes,
- It will enquire into the cause for the leakage including the possible failure in the firm’s adoption of safety protocols.
- It will look into the long-term effects of the gas leakage on the surrounding villages.
- It also asked to suggest action to be taken against the industrial unit in case of any carelessness that led to gas leakage. In addition, it will suggest measures to be taken by industry units, including safety norms to prevent such accident in the future, and in case, if any observations and suggestions, it will be added in the report.
- The state Government asked AP Pollution Control Board (APPCB) to provide assistance to the committee in preparing the report.
iii.Other members of the panel includes Karikal Valaven, Special Chief Secretary (Industries), Vinay Chand (Visakhapatnam district collector), RK Meena (Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police) as members and Vivek Yadav (Member Secretary, AP Pollution Control Board) as member convenor.
About Styrene:
It is a flammable liquid used in the manufacture of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber and latex.
According to ‘Tox Town’, a website run by the US National Library of Medicine, styrene is also found in vehicles and cigarette smoke and natural foods such as fruits and vegetables.
About Andhra Pradesh (AP):
Capital– Amaravati
Chief minister– Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy
Governor– Biswabhusan Harichandan
State Flower– Jasmine
State Fruit– Mango
