• It is a flammable liquid that is used in the manufacturing of polystyrene plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and latex. • Styrene is also found in vehicle exhaust, cigarette smoke, and in natural foods like fruits and vegetables.

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CURRENT AFFAIRS
VIZAG GAS LEAK: WHAT STYRENE IS FOR, AND HOW IT BEHAVES
Vizag LG Polymer Gas Leakage
What is styrene?
It is a flammable liquid that is used
in the manufacturing of polystyrene
plastics, fiberglass, rubber, and
latex.
Styrene is also found in vehicle
exhaust, cigarette smoke, and in
natural foods like fruits and vegetables.
Styrene is an organic compound with
the formula C8H8.
Its molecular structure as pictured.
It is a derivative of benzene (C6H6).
It is stored in factories as a liquid,
but evaporates easily, and has to be
kept at temperatures under 20°C.
Gas leak from LG polymers created panic in Venkatapuram and five other villages in the wee hours on Thursday.
(File photo| G Satyanarayana, EPS)
What happens when exposed to styrene?
As per the US-based Environment Protection
Agency (EPA), short-term exposure to the
substance can result in respiratory
problems, irritation in the eyes, irritation
in the mucous membrane, and
gastrointestinal issues.
Long-term exposure could drastically affect
the central nervous system and lead to other
related problems like peripheral
neuropathy.
It could also lead to cancer and depression in
some cases.
However, EPA notes that there is no sufficient
evidence despite several epidemiology
studies indicating there may be an association
between styrene exposure and an increased
risk of leukemia and lymphoma.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms include headache, hearing
loss, fatigue, weakness, difficulty in
concentrating etc.
Animal studies, according to the EPA,
have reported effects on the CNS, liver,
kidney, and eye and nasal irritation from
inhalation exposure to styrene.
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What is styrene used for?
What are the long-term effects?
Experts say that if people are exposed
to the gas for a long period, there is a
chance of their developing
leukaemia and headaches.
Studies on the effects on health due to
occupational exposure to styrene
have, however, been inconclusive.
As per the United States
Environmental Protection Agency,
tests involving acute exposure of rats
and mice have shown styrene to have
low to moderate toxicity by inhalation
and oral exposure.
Animal studies have reported effects
on the entral nervous system, liver,
kidney, and eye and nasal irritation
from inhalation exposure to styrene.
Liver, blood, kidney, and stomach
effects have been observed in
animals following chronic oral
exposure.
Styrene is the main raw material
for synthesis of polystyrene, or
(C8H8)n.
Polystyrene, in turn, is a versatile
plastic that is used to make parts
of various appliances such as
refrigerators or micro-ovens;
automotive parts; and parts of
electronics such as computers;
and also to manufacture
disposable cups and in food
packaging.
Styrene is also used as an
intermediate to produce
copolymers — which are
polymers derived from one or
more species of monomers such
as styrene.
What happens if someone is exposed
to styrene gas?
Exposure to styrene gas affects the
central nervous system.
“Breathlessness, respiratory problems,
irritation in eyes, indigestion, nausea,
transient loss of consciousness,
unsteady gait, giddiness are caused by
exposure to it.
However, in people suffering from
respiratory illness such as asthma, and
those who have chronic obstructive
pulmonary diseases,
These conditions may get exaggerated,
Dr Kumar said. “Those suffering from
diabetes or hypertension may have
anxiety disorders.”
It is the mucous membrane that is
mainly affected by exposure to styrene
gas. In Visakhapatnam, the styrene gas
leak caused acute breathlessness among
many people, a few of whom
asphyxiated to death.

3. CURRENT
AFFAIRS
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What are the safeguards against chemical disasters in India?
The law in India provides protection to victims
of such chemical disasters. Here’s a look at
some of these provisions:
At the time of the Bhopal gas tragedy, the Indian
Penal Code (IPC) was the only relevant law
specifying criminal liability for such incidents,
reported PRS Legislative.
The CBI had initially charged the accused in the
case under Section 304 (culpable homicide not
amounting to murder) of the Indian Penal Code
(IPC).
The charges were later framed under Section
304A, which deals with death due to negligence
and imposes a maximum punishment of two years
and a fine. The charges were re-framed after a
1996 Supreme Court judgment held that there was
no evidence to show that the accused had
knowledge that such a gas leak would happen and
kill people.
Soon after the tragedy, which had killed 2,000
people, the government passed a series of laws
regulating the environment and prescribing
and specifying safeguards and penalties. Some
of these laws were:
1. Bhopal Gas Leak (Processing of Claims)
Act, 1985, which gives powers to the central
government to secure the claims arising out
of or connected with the Bhopal gas tragedy.
Under the provisions of this Act, such claims
are dealt with speedily and equitably.
2. The Environment Protection Act, 1986,
which gives powers to the central government
to undertake measures for improving the
environment and set standards and inspect
industrial units.
3. The Public Liability Insurance Act,
1991, which is an insurance meant to provide
relief to persons affected by accidents that
occur while handling hazardous substances.
4. The National Environment Appellate
Authority Act, 1997, under which the
National Environment Appellate Authority
can hear appeals regarding the restriction of
areas in which any industries, operations or
processes or class of industries, operations or
processes shall not be carried out or shall be
carried out subject to certain safeguards under
the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
5. National Green Tribunal, 2010,
provides for the establishment of a National
Green Tribunal for effective and expeditious
disposal of cases related to environmental
protection and conservation of forests.
According to PRS Legislative, any incident
similar to the Bhopal gas tragedy will be tried
in the National Green Tribunal and most
likely under the provisions of the
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. “…if an
offence is committed by a company, every
person directly in charge and responsible will
be deemed guilty, unless he proves that the
offence was committed without his
knowledge or that he had exercised all due
diligence to prevent the commission of such
an offence,” PRS states.
Sources: IE, TH
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