On February 3, a train carrying toxic chemicals derailed and caught fire in northeastern Ohio, and the scene was full of flames; On February 6, toxic chemicals were discharged and burned on the spot. The main chemicals involved in this accident are vinyl chloride and its by-products, phosgene, hydrogen chloride and butyl acrylate.
Vinyl chloride was later released into the air from five trains. In order to remove highly flammable and toxic chemicals, the workers ignited vinyl chloride and produced mushroom clouds.
Environmental regulators in the United States have been monitoring the air and water in the surrounding communities, and said that so far, the air quality is still safe and the drinking water supply has not been affected. But some residents complain of headaches and nausea.
What vinyl chloride?
This gas is used to make PVC hard plastic resin in plastic products. It exists in products such as credit cards, furniture and auto parts, but the most obvious one is PVC plastic pipe, which is a common pipe.
The harm of vinyl chloride leakage to human body?
Vinyl chloride (C2H3Cl) itself is a carcinogen. Long-term exposure will cause organ canceration, especially hepatocellular carcinoma and digestive system tumors outside the liver. Inhalation in a large amount in a short time can cause acute poisoning or death.
Vinyl chloride is extremely flammable, and when it is fully burned, it will produce hydrogen chloride, water and carbon dioxide. The aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride (HCl) is the familiar hydrochloric acid. In the case of incomplete combustion, dioxins and phosgene will be produced, both of which are deadly chemical weapons.
1? Chlorophyll gene
Used as a chemical weapon in World War I, it can cause vomiting and dyspnea, and may even lead to death in the most acute contact.
2? dioxin
One of the most dangerous chemicals in the world is 900 times as toxic as arsenic, with irreversible teratogenic, carcinogenic and mutagenic toxicity.
From social media, we can see that local chickens, dogs, frogs, fish, foxes and other animals are dying ... local residents also feel headache and nausea, and the air still smells of chemicals. Some experts even said that there may be a large number of cancer patients in the local area in a few years.
Harm of vinyl chloride leakage to the environment?
It is reported that on February 4th and 5th, the train burned quietly beside East Palestine, and the exact amount of toxic gas released by it was unknown.
More importantly, the toxic gas formed by the combustion of vinyl chloride may also form acid rain, further polluting the surrounding air and soil, and even polluting Lake Erie, one of the five most important water sources in Ohio, with a wide and lasting impact.
What are the subsequent impacts of the "controllable combustion" measures adopted by the local government? ?
Dioxin produced during the combustion of vinyl chloride is a persistent organic pollutant, which means that it can exist in the environment for a long time and is difficult to degrade naturally.
Dioxin is highly toxic, which can lead to cancer, fertility and development problems, damage the immune system and lead to hormone secretion disorder.
Dioxins can accumulate in the food chain, mainly in animal adipose tissue.
● More than 90% of people's ways to absorb dioxins come from eating animal fats, mainly meat, dairy products, fish and shellfish.
What's the impact on us?
Ohio is a big agricultural province in the United States, and agricultural products such as crops, livestock, poultry and fish nourished by strong carcinogens may be imported into China through food and pet food. It is unknown whether the monsoon airflow will bring gas to other countries; But there is no doubt that this is a critical attack on the earth's environment.
China is the third largest export market and the second largest import source in Ohio. The impact of this accident deserves our continuous attention. I also hope that my friends in Ohio can survive this incident safely.
How to escape when encountering the leakage of dangerous chemicals?
For ordinary people, the best way is to evacuate quickly and orderly, and report the leakage accident to the relevant departments in time. The direction of escape and evacuation should follow the principle of headwind, uphill and countercurrent.