LUDHIANA GAS TRAGEDY
1. Context
On Sunday morning (April 30), 2023, 11 people died due to a gas leak in the Giaspura area of Ludhiana, Punjab, while four people fell ill and were hospitalised.
2. What happened in Ludhiana?
- The gas leak has claimed the lives of 11 people in the Giaspur area of Ludhiana.
- The Police have suspected that a poisonous gas may have emanated from a partially open manhole in the locality and spread to the shops and houses nearby. The inquiry for the cause of the leak is on.
- Forensic experts have suspected Hydrogen Sulphide – a neurotoxic gas – to be responsible for the tragedy.
- The autopsy reports suggested that the deaths were due to “inhalation poisoning”.
- According to an expert - Probably some acidic waste was thrown into the sewer which reacted with methane, carbon monoxide, and other sewerage gases to produce hydrogen sulphide.
3. What are Neurotoxins?
- Neurotoxins are poisonous substances that can directly affect the nervous system. Neurotoxicity occurs when exposure to natural or man-made toxic substances alters the normal activity of the nervous system.
- These substances can eventually, disrupt or even kill neurons or nerve cells, which are important for transmitting and processing signals in the brain and other parts of the nervous system.
- They directly attack the respiratory tract of the body, thereby overpowering the oxygen concentration of the body and then the nervous system as well.
4. What are Neurotoxic gases?
- Methane, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide are common neurotoxic gases.
- While methane and carbon monoxide are odorless gases, hydrogen sulphide has a pungent odour, and in higher concentrations, it can be fatal for humans.
- In the present case, the deputy commissioner has indicated that it is likely that a chemical might have reacted with methane gas that is naturally generated during the breakdown of human waste.
- Samples of sewage were taken from nearby manholes to assess this.
- To remove gases such as hydrogen sulphide from wastewater, chemical oxidation is done, where oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide are added to the wastewater.
5. Hydrogen Sulphide
- Hydrogen sulfide is a chemical compound with the formula H2S.
- It is a colorless chalcogen-hydride gas.
- It is poisonous, corrosive, and flammable, with trace amounts in an ambient atmosphere having a characteristic foul odor of rotten eggs.
- Hydrogen sulfide is slightly denser than air. A mixture of H2S and air can be explosive.
- In general, hydrogen sulfide acts as a reducing agent.
6. Effects
- Hydrogen sulfide is toxic to humans and most other animals by inhibiting cellular respiration.
- When it is inhaled or its salts are ingested in high amounts, damage to organs occurs rapidly with symptoms ranging from breathing difficulties to convulsions and death.
- Despite this, the human body produces small amounts of this sulfide and its mineral salts and uses it as a signaling molecule.
7. Safeguards against Chemical Disasters in India
- Bhopal Gas Leak (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985 gave 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.
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The Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986 gives powers to the central government to undertake measures for improving the environment and set standards, and inspect industrial units.
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The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 is an insurance meant to provide relief to persons affected by accidents that occur while handling hazardous substances.
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Under the Hazardous Waste (Management Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 1989, industries are required to identify major accident hazards, take preventive measures and submit a report to the designated authorities.
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Under the Manufacture, Storage, and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989, importers must furnish complete product safety information to the competent authority and must transport imported chemicals in accordance with the amended rules.
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For Prelims: Neurotoxins, Neurotoxic gases, Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), Nervous system,
Bhopal Gas Leak (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985, The Environment Protection Act (EPA), 1986, The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, Hazardous Waste (Management Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 1989 and Under the Manufacture, Storage, and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989.
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Previous year Questions
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1. How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)? (UPSC 2018)
1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both 1 and 2
D. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: B
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Source: The Indian Express
