VIZAG GAS LEAK

VIZAG GAS LEAK; PANEL GIVEN TIME TILL JUNE 30

Andhra Pradesh government has extended the time for submission of a report by the high –power committee, probing the styrene monomer vapour leak at the LG Polymer unit here, till June 30

Committee was constituted to probe the May 7 incident, in which 12 people were killed and many others were hospitalised

Styrene is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₆H₅CH=CH₂

 

In 1839, the German apothecary Eduard Simon isolated a volatile liquid from the resin (storax or styrax) of the American sweetgum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua). He called the liquid "styrol" (now styrene)

Styrene occurs naturally in small quantities in some plants and foods and is also found in coal tar

Majority of styrene is produced from ethylbenzene, and almost all ethylbenzene produced worldwide is intended for styrene production

Ethylbenzene is produced via a Friedel–Crafts reaction between benzene and ethylene; originally this used aluminum chloride as a catalyst, but in modern production this has been replaced by zeolites

Benzene is a colorless oily liquid, although aged samples can appear yellowish

The compound evaporates easily and has a sweet smell, although high concentrations have a less pleasant odor

Styrene is the precursor to polystyrene and several copolymers 

Styrene can be produced from toluene and methanol

 

Styrene is also co-produced commercially in a process known as POSM (Lyondell Chemical Company) or SM/PO (Shell) for styrene monomer / propylene oxide

According to several sources, Styrene is regarded as a known carcinogen, especially in case of eye contact, but also in case of skin contact, of ingestion and of inhalation.