Bangkok: The Office of the Civil Service Commission continues to monitor illegal chemical dumping warehouses in Phachi District after the incident found yellow smoke. It is expected that the chemical containers were stacked on top of each other in several layers. When chemical vapors occur cause steel tanks to corrode until it leaks and causes a reaction Accelerate coordination with the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Industrial Office to support problem solving. Ms. Preeyaporn Suwannakes, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department (PDC), said that she has coordinated with the Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Provincial Industrial Office. Disease Control Office 4, Saraburi, and local agencies in the area to prepare and support solving problems from chemical vapors which can be seen as yellow smoke. You will be asked to participate in giving academic suggestions. Follow up on the situation and progress of operations periodically. For the incident at the chemical warehouse of Better World Green Public C ompany Limited (BWG), Phachi District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, yesterday (18 April 2024) in the area of ??warehouse 4-5, yellow smoke was found. There is a very bad smell. But there is no flame or heat. Environment and Pollution Control Office No. 6 (Nonthaburi) is monitoring the situation. It can be assumed that warehouse number 4 has tanks of acid-alkaline chemicals. in 1 cubic meter Bounds tanks and black oil tanks, and combined chemicals contained in 200 liter steel drums and many smaller tanks. Stacked on several floors without separating zones. The steel frame that supports the plastic tank will be corroded and decayed when exposed to chemical vapors until it cannot support the weight. The tank collapsed. This causes chemicals to leak out and mix with chemicals from steel tanks that have been corroded to the point of perforation. coupled with the extremely hot weather Makes chemicals easily cause reactions. Officials from the Environment and Pollution Control Office Region 6 (Nonthaburi) gav e suggestions for initially suppressing the incident, including: 1) If the fire burns Avoid using water directly to extinguish the fire. Use foam or a chemical fire extinguisher or CO2 instead. 2) In warehouse area 4, if it is found that there is a strong smell of chemical vapors. Have officers wear full-face chemical vapor filter masks and PPE suits while entering the area to suppress the incident. 3) Use sand or dirt. Cover up spilled chemicals To absorb or contain the spilled area. Do not let it spread and spread widely. and be careful when entering the area This is because there are chemical tanks placed close together and stacked on several floors throughout the area of ??Warehouse 4. After the incident ended yesterday afternoon The group of chemical vapors has decreased. Local authorities have coordinated with officials from Better World Green Public Company Limited (BWG) to come and investigate the cause. To find ways to prevent and solve problems that may occur again. In the case of a severe ammo nia leak with a radius of over 1 kilometer, surrounding community areas There were 141 people who experienced symptoms of throat pain, suffocation, eye pain, and injuries. Air quality measurement results In the downwind community area, ammonia value is 0 ppm within the factory area. Ice production location has an ammonia value of 3 ppm (parts per million) and under the building in the area where the leak occurred, an ammonia value of 5 - 8 ppm is at a level that does not affect health (Announcement from the Civil Service Commission on the value Acute inhalation exposure limits are divided into 3 levels: Level 1: 30 PPM (parts per million), Level 2: 160 PPM, and Level 3: 1,100 PPM). Office Chonburi Province Industry has informed the factory to stop operating. And repairs to the leaking pipe and equipment systems must be completed by May 20, 2024. The DPC has recommended that the air in confined spaces be ventilated outside. and block water that will drain outside, which may contain a large amount of ammonia mi xed in It will cause the death of fish in public water sources. The Pollution Control Department informs of caution regarding the use of ammonia in the industrial sector. If exposed in high concentrations and for a long time will be harmful to the body Ammonia (NH3) is a colorless gas at normal temperature and pressure with a strong pungent odor. Highly toxic and has corrosive properties If under pressure and low temperature It will have a liquid state. Can dissolve in water and evaporate, is flammable, has an alkaline effect. Ammonia is used in both agriculture and industry. In the agricultural sector Used to produce ammonium nitrate and urea fertilizers. In the industrial sector, it is used to produce nitric acid, which hardens and coats metal surfaces to increase hardness. Plating mechanical parts Mix concentrated liquid for protection. Coagulation and killing of certain bacteria. Used in the electronics industry Including the cold storage industry, ice plants, and freezer rooms. Ammonia is used as a r efrigerant in ice factories and cold storage rooms in the form of Ammoniu anhydrous. The reason it is widely used is because it is cheap. Easy to transport and use Management costs are lower than other refrigerants. Does not destroy ozone in the atmosphere and does not cause global warming Ammonia leaks are caused by defective and damaged equipment such as Leaks in gas pipelines, valves, or during system maintenance. This is because ammonia can combine with water and moisture to form Ammonium hydroxide, which is highly alkaline. Can corrode the system causing leaks. or from improper storage of ammonia containers. cause an accident that causes a leak For handling ammonia leaks Unrelated persons must be kept out of the area. To prevent dangers caused by exposure to ammonia. Use a fire truck to squirt water to capture ammonia fumes. Ammonia concentration was measured both at the site of the leak and around it. Prevent ammonia in liquid form or wastewater resulting from suppression from entering water sources. and has a system for managing wastewater contaminated with ammonia. After that, systems that have leaked ammonia must be inspected, for example. Condition of gas pipelines and valves Including fixing and having to prepare a plan for using and maintaining the machines. Emergency Suppression Plan Pollution control and treatment system Health effects from ammonia Acute toxicity can occur from inhaling high concentrations of ammonia. Will cause blurred vision. muscle weakness Decreased reflexes and loss of consciousness Causes irritation to the respiratory mucosa. Swelling of the uvula, larynx, and windpipe, difficulty breathing, tightness in the chest, and loss of consciousness, as well as irritation of the eyes, blurred vision, and loss of vision. Direct contact with liquid ammonia Causes frostbite injury to the skin. As for the concentration level of ammonia (Parts per million: ppm) or parts per million. that has an effect on the body According to the duration of exposure are as follows: - 25 ppm, most peop le can smell it. Can tolerate it for up to 8 hours. Most people start to smell it. - 100 ppm does not have serious effects on the body. slightly irritating Do not allow contact for a long time. - 400 ppm irritates the nose and throat. Exposure time: 30 minutes - 1 hour - 700 ppm irritates the eyes. Exposure time: 30 minutes - 1 hour - 1,700 ppm causes seizures, irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, which may result in death. If received more than 30 minutes - 2,000 - 5,000 ppm throat irritation, severe burning pain in the throat. May cause death in more than 15 minutes. - 5,000 - 10,000 ppm causes muscle and respiratory spasms. Causes the body to lack oxygen quickly May die within 2 -3 minutes. Personal protective equipment when working in places that use ammonia includes: - Chemical protective clothing or PPE - Chemical protection mask - safety glasses - Chemical resistant gloves - Chemical protective clothing - Respirator - Boots In case of exposure to ammonia There are guidelines for tre atment and reduction of initial toxic effects. By moving the patient to an open area. Use a damp cloth to cover your mouth and nose during transport. If it touches your eyes, rinse with running water over your eyes for at least 15 minutes. Remove contaminated clothing. If cold clothing sticks to the skin, soften it before removing it. And wash your body with warm water for at least 15 minutes if it touches your skin. Wash off with soapy water. If a large wound occurs due to cold Do not rub or pour water on that area. Then hurry and take him to the doctor immediately. Source: Thai News Agency