Thread: Blaze breaks out in Map Ta Phut reportedly after explosion

Short video showing the cloud of smoke from Spring News (Thai news website)

http://www.springnewstv.tv/news/local/13982.html

StrontiumDog ‏
@StrontiumDog1

Pic-15.24. Explosion heard at Map Ta Phut industrial park, followed by large cloud of black smoke http://bit.ly/It9NES RT @Oregonf


Oregonf

อุตสาหกรรมมาบตาพุดได้ยินเสียงระเบิด พร้อมครันสีดำพวยพุ่งออกมา เกิดอะไรขึ้นครับ http://pic.twitter.com/mFIYiafC

StrontiumDog ‏
@StrontiumDog1

2 closer photos from near the fire @ Map Ta Phut. Credit Arm Bn http://bit.ly/IO3YU4 http://bit.ly/ILpdYH @fm91trafficpro


fm91trafficpro
FM91TRAFFICPRO
อีก 1 ภาพเหตุการณ์ ระเบิดโรงงาน บีเอสที นิคมอุตสาหกรรมมาบตาพุด จ.ระยอง เครดิตภาพ Arm Bn http://pic.twitter.com/Oe90YuyM

Nothing like a good hot chemical fire to clear the sinus.

Seven critical after chemical factory blaze - The Nation

Seven critical after chemical factory blaze

The Nation on Sunday May 6, 2012 1:00 am

Bystanders were astonished by the fire and explosion at the Bangkok Synthetics factory in Rayong

Some 47 people were injured - seven of them critically - after a fire broke out yesterday at the Bangkok Synthetics factory in Map Ta Phut.

The sky over the Rayong industrial estate was covered with thick black smoke from chemicals burnt during the blaze. Deputy Public Health Minister Dr Surawit Khonsomboon warned people in Rayong not to store rainwater for consumption, as it may be contaminated by toxic chemicals released by the fire.

Surawit said rain actually helped stop the smoke from spreading but the disadvantage was rainwater might dissolve toxic chemicals, so people should not use rainwater for consumption currently.

The fire took place around 3pm yesterday after people heard three explosions at the factory, located on the I7 road in the estate. The explosions were felt up to three kilometres away and the smell of burnt chemicals also spread.

Some 60 workers were in the factory at the time of blaze and rescue workers and police rushed to help them out, while firemen from 10 engines battled to prevent the fire spreading to nearby factories and chemical tanks.

It took four hours until Rayong Governor Seni Jitkasem said the fire was brought under control, at 7pm. But officials continued to spray water to reduce the temperature at the site and the area was sealed off for an official inspection.

Governor Seni said the fire started from a tank of toluene, which workers were cleaning to prepare for the factory opening on Monday. It was initially suspected that human error caused the fire, but police would seek to find out if this was the cause, he said.

However, Industry Minister MR Pongsvas Svasti said the explosion occurred while the factory was not operating. And it was suspected the fire broke out because of inflammable chemicals still in pipes that maintenance officers may have missed while working.

Sumetha Wichienphetch, head of the Pollution Control emergency centre at the estate, said the chemical at the factory was toluene, which wasn't highly toxic and did not cause people to get cancer. He said sunlight and rain should dilute and wash the toluene away, but local officials warned people not to store rainwater for a period. He said the department would inspect the site for any leftover chemical, to restore public confidence that things were safe.

In an earlier life I made toluene from the batch distillation of the material which was left after our benzene production. All the chemicals were carcinogens, all caused irritation and all were highly inflammable. The best thing about the "tolly" production was that it could be relied to take the best part of ten hours to be distilled off. This meant that, by careful planning, toluene production started about 9.00 pm allowing the boys working the night shift a relatively work free period during which they could safely get a little sleep.

We had one fire in our refinery but our guys were brilliant and put it out before Port Talbot was blown away. Our incident was a freak for us. Sadly, it seems the Thais are more vulnerable and this is probably due to lack of proper planning.

This was posted on youtube back in 2010. I wonder if the new regulations they were talking about were ever enforced. This video is long but I found it interesting.


Jon

Five killed, 95 injured in Map Ta Phut fire - The Nation

Five killed, 95 injured in Map Ta Phut fire

May 6, 2012 7:46 am

At least five people were killed in the massive fire that broke out at the Bangkok Synthetics factory in Map Ta Phut Saturday, Deputy Public Health Minister Dr Surawit Khonsomboon said Sunday.

Surawit told Spring News TV that two of the five died at hospitals and three others died at the scene.

He said 95 people were injured, five critically. Two of the injured were rescue volunteers.

The Nation


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IEAT assures public of control over Map Ta Phut fire incident : National News Bureau of Thailand


IEAT assures public of control over Map Ta Phut fire incident

RAYONG, 6 May 2012 (NNT) - The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand has assured that the fire incident in Map Ta Phut has been under control.

Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) Governor Verapong Chaiperm said that the fire accident at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate on Saturday needs further and thorough investigation before more details about the damages can be revealed.

A gas tank at a tire factory exploded and started fire, which spread through its premises and killed at least 8 and injured nearly a hundred.

The IEAT Governor said that that all the injured have received medical attention while workers and people residing near the factory have also been evacuated.

Mr. Verapong stated that the chemical leak problem has been in control while all related parties have been working collaboratively to cope with the problems.

The troubled factory has also been closed temporarily by the IEAT.

8 dead and over a hundred injured, environmental dammaged ignored.

I look forward to the cover up

In which direction was the wind blowing at the time?

Ban Chang isn't too far away to the west and I wonder if they were affected. I considered the place once as a possible venue for settlement but in the end discounted it because of its proximity to the industrial site. Irrespective of the number of westerners working there I had complete confidence in the Thai to somehow fuck things up.

That in itself is probably not a phenomenon limited to Thailand but their propensity for deceit and criminal deception is so entrenched in their culture that the extent and seriousness of any contamination would never be truly known.

Living in Thailand is all about risk management.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/blaze-at-chemical-factory-in-thailand-kills-12/story-e6frf7lf-1226348063704?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=fee d&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HeraldSunWorld+%28Herald+Su n+|+World+News%29

Blaze at chemical factory in Thailand kills 12

• AFP
• From: Herald Sun
• May 06, 2012 5:51PM

A Thai official checks the air outside the Rayong chemical factory where a large blaze killed 12 people. Picture: Pornchai Kittiwongsakul /
AFP

AN inferno at a chemical factory in eastern Thailand has killed 12 people, injured more than 100 and released toxic smoke into the air.

Hundreds of residents had to be evacuated after the fire, which was caused by an explosion at the factory in Rayong province, sent a plume of black acrid smoke into the sky.

Firefighters quelled the blaze but health officials continued to monitor air quality amid concerns poisonous fumes may still seep into the air.

A health ministry statement said 12 people had died in the explosion and ensuing fire, while 129 were injured, mainly suffering burns.

The majority of the victims are believed to be factory workers.

"Doctors said 12 were killed in yesterday's explosion but we can only confirm 10 so far," Map Ta Phut police Lieutenant Colonel Charoen Vititkornkul said.

"Police forensic teams are searching for clues to what happened and we are also looking for any more bodies," he said, adding police were ready to evacuate more local residents if necessary.

Rayong province, about 140km south of Bangkok, is one of Thailand's biggest industrial areas.

Thailand investigates deadly petrochemical estate blast | Reuters

Thailand investigates deadly petrochemical estate blast

BANGKOK | Sun May 6, 2012 11:16am IST

(Reuters) - Thai authorities were investigating on Sunday a blast that killed 12 people and wounded at least 105 at one of the world's biggest petrochemical hubs.

Explosions sparked a fire at a chemical factory at the sprawling Map Ta Phut complex - Thailand's biggest industrial estate - on Saturday, forcing the evacuation of thousand of people and workers from the area in Rayong province, about 180 km (110 miles) east of Bangkok.

The Bangkok Synthetics plant, 20-percent owned by Thailand's largest industrial group, Siam Cement Pcl SCC.BK, produces butadiene and other raw materials used in the manufacturing of synthetic rubbers and plastic resins.

The blaze has been extinguished and many evacuees have returned home, said Verapong Chaiperm, governor of the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand, confirming the number of dead and wounded.

"The evacuation order has been cancelled while other nearby buildings and factories around the area are under security checks," he said in an interview.

Authorities were investigating the cause of the explosions and were watching closely for the environmental impact of the spread of the chemicals, said Verapong

The plants at Map Ta Phut, home to the world's eighth-largest petrochemicals hub, have been at the centre of an environmental dispute in recent years after an environmental group said pollution from the plants had caused at least 2,000 cancer-related deaths.

A court in 2010 ruled that most of 76 industrial projects halted a year earlier because of pollution and licensing concerns could be restarted.

Yingluck visits Map Ta Phut | Bangkok Post: news

Yingluck visits Map Ta Phut

• Published: 6/05/2012 at 01:22 PM
• Online news: Local News

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra flew to Rayong province on Sunday morning to visit the Map Ta Phut industrial estate where an explosion and a fire broke out at a petrochemical factory on Saturday that killed 12 people, reports said.

Ms Yingluck was accompanied by Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit and Industry Minister Pongsvas Svasti when she flew on a helicopter from the Police Aviation Centre in Bangkok to the industrial estate at 9.45am.

She is scheduled to inspect the factory hit by the explosion, visit the people wounded in the incident at Map Ta Phut Hospital and return to Bangkok at 2pm.

At about 8.15am, Deputy Public Health Minister Surawit Khonsomboon said in an interview with a television programme that at least 10 people were killed and 141 wounded in the explosion. Of the wounded, 117 had been released while 24 remained in hospital for further treatment.

Latest reports said the number of killed had risen to 12. Nine of them died at the factory and the other three succumbed to their injuries in hospital.

The explosion occurred at a unit of Bangkok Synthetics Co (BST) inside the Map Ta Phut industrial estate at about 3.45pm on Saturday, followed by a fire that sent thick black smoke into the sky.

Verapong Chaiperm, governor of the Industrial Estates Authority of Thailand (IEAT), said a leak of toxic chemicals had been brought under control and the fire at the factory was completely put out early Sunday morning.

Thousands of people in 12 communities around the industrial estate were evacuated yesterday. None of the villagers had been affected by toxic chemicals, Mr Verapong said.

Senee Jittakasem, the Rayong governor, said the villagers had returned to their homes.

Industry Ministry confident no chemical contamination around Map Ta Phut : National News Bureau of Thailand

Industry Ministry confident no chemical contamination around Map Ta Phut

RAYONG, 6 May 2012 (NNT) – The Industry Ministry is confident that the fire incident in Map Ta Phut has left no trace of chemical contamination that may harm Rayong residents.

Industry Minister M.R. Phongsawat Svastiwat said on Sunday that the total deaths from the fire accident at a tire factory in Map Ta Phut on Saturday stood at 12.

He added that 105 have been injured, 25 of whom are receiving medical attention and 3 are still in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

M.R. Phongsawat said that the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand has promptly set up a special team to inspect any case of chemical contamination and leakage.

The Industry Minister also assured that the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate has one of the best safety systems in Asia and that the public should remain calm and have no worry about the impact from the incident.

He added that the rehabilitation of all who have been affected by the incident will be responsible by the company, which owns the blasted factory.

M.R. Phongsawat said he is confident that there is no chemical contamination around the factory area, while suggesting that those who have been evacuated will be allowed back home by Sunday.

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Environment Ministry: Air quality near blasted Rayong factory remains at safe level : National News Bureau of Thailand

Environment Ministry: Air quality near blasted Rayong factory remains at safe level

RAYONG, 6 May 2012 (NNT) – The air quality around the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate remains safe and poses no health threat, according to the Environment Ministry.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk said on Sunday that his inspection trip to the tire factory at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate, which was on fire on Saturday, found that the air pollution reading in the area is still within the standard limit.

Mr. Preecha added that the reported leakage of Toluene is not harmful, as this chemical is a type of cleaning agent that cannot cause cancer.

However, as the investigation is still continuing, the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand has declared the blasted factory off-limit until maintenance service is completed and it has passed an official safety inspection.

What are the main health hazards associated with breathing in toluene?

Inhalation of toluene vapour can affect the central nervous system (CNS). At approximately 50 ppm, slight drowsiness and headache have been reported. Irritation of the nose, throat and respiratory tract has occurred between 50 and 100 ppm. Concentrations of about 100 ppm have caused fatigue and dizziness; over 200 ppm has caused symptoms similar to drunkenness, numbness, and mild nausea; and over 500 ppm has caused mental confusion and incoordination. Higher concentrations (estimated at higher than 10000 ppm) can result in unconsciousness and death. Most serious incidences of exposure have occurred when the vapour has accumulated in confined spaces.

In some studies, relatively high exposures (well above exposure limits) have affected performance on neurobehavioural tasks (for example, decreased performance on complex tasks and increased response time.

A review of studies on the effects of toluene exposure and colour vision concludes that short-term exposure to toluene does not have an effect on colour discrimination, even when exposures are relatively high.

In two cases of acute occupational exposure, there were no blood disorders, liver or kidney damage observed. Historical reports of blood effects caused by toluene are more than likely due to benzene contamination. Benzene is well known to be toxic to the blood. Liver and kidney effects, as well as heart disturbances, have been reported in cases of solvent abuse (glue-sniffing). Reversible kidney failure has resulted from a severe occupational exposure in a paint factory.


What happens when toluene comes into contact with my skin?

Toluene is a moderate skin irritant, based on animal information. Prolonged contact can cause dermatitis (dry, red skin). Absorption of toluene through the skin may contribute significantly to the overall exposure. Although no reports of harmful effects following skin absorption were located.


Can toluene hurt my eyes?

Toluene is a very mild eye irritant, based on animal evidence. In people, very short exposure (3 to 5 minutes) to the vapour has caused slight eye irritation at 300 ppm. Longer exposures (6 to 7 hours) to concentrations above 100 ppm or 150 ppm also caused slight irritation.


What happens if toluene is accidentally swallowed (enters the digestive system)?

There are case reports of accidental ingestion of toluene causing severe central nervous system (CNS) depression and death. Toluene is readily absorbed following ingestion producing symptoms similar to those described for inhalation above. Toluene may be aspirated, which is the inhalation of a chemical into the lungs during ingestion or vomiting. Severe lung irritation, damage to the lung tissues and death may result. Ingestion of approximately 60 mL (2 oz) toluene was fatal to an adult within 30 minutes in one reported case. The authors state that the probable cause of death was depression of the central nervous system. However, it is possible that the toluene was aspirated and death was caused by aspiration.


What are the long term health effects of exposure to toluene?

SKIN: Repeated or prolonged contact may cause dermatitis (red, itchy, dry skin) because of its defatting action.

NERVOUS SYSTEM: Numerous studies of rotogravure printers, painters and rubberized-matting workers with long-term exposure to toluene are inconclusive about the potential of toluene to cause central nervous system (CNS) damage. Most studies do not have good exposure data, several indicate alcohol consumption as a confounder and few have used the neurobehavioural tests recommended by the World Health Organization. Some studies report changes such as memory loss, sleep disturbances, loss of ability to concentrate, or incoordination, while others report no effects. Recent studies using sensitive neurobehavioural tests have shown altered scores for exposed workers but whether or not these results actually indicate CNS damage is not clear. Other studies have shown no change in neurobehavioural measurements for workers with long-term exposure to toluene.

EYES/VISION: A review of several studies on toluene and its effects on colour vision concluded that the evidence is inconclusive as to whether long-term exposure to toluene results in a persistent impairment of colour vision

HEARING: Firm conclusions cannot be drawn based on the limited information available. Hearing loss has been observed in workers in some studies following long-term exposure to toluene and noise and in animals exposed to very high concentrations of toluene.

KIDNEY EFFECTS: Kidney effects are not expected to occur unless exposures are very high. In population studies of workers exposed long-term to levels up to 200 ppm, there was no clear evidence of kidney damage. There are reports of kidney damage in people exposed long-term to high concentrations of toluene as a result of solvent abuse (glue-sniffing). These extreme exposures are not relevant to occupational situations.

BLOOD SYSTEM: Recent studies do not show consistent effects on the blood from long-term toluene exposure. Effects noted in workers before the 1950s are attributed to exposure to benzene, a contaminant of toluene at that time.

LIVER EFFECTS: Liver effects are not expected to occur unless exposures are very high. There is little evidence of liver damage in workers exposed to up to 500 ppm toluene or in people with long-term solvent abuse (glue-sniffing). Some studies indicate that long-term exposure to 30-350 ppm may result in increased levels of liver enzymes, an early indicator of liver injury. Liver effects have only been seen in animal studies involving long-term inhalation and ingestion exposure to relatively high concentrations.


Will toluene cause cancer?

Toluene is not considered carcinogenic.

There have been several human population studies that have examined the possible relationship between toluene exposure and cancer. Most types of cancer were not significantly associated with toluene exposure in any study. Stomach cancer mortality, lung cancer rates and colorectal cancers were elevated in some studies, but not others. Because most of the studies involved multiple exposures and there are inconsistencies in the findings, it is not possible to conclude that toluene exposure is associated with cancer in humans. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded there is inadequate evidence for the carcinogenicity of toluene in humans. Toluene did not cause tumours in rats and mice exposed by inhalation in a well-conducted study.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has concluded that this chemical is not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans (Group 3).

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) has designated this chemical as not classifiable as a human carcinogen (A4).

The US National Toxicology Program (NTP) has not listed this chemical in its report on carcinogens.


Will toluene cause any problems with my reproductive system?

Toluene is not considered a reproductive hazard. No conclusions can be drawn based on the available human information. Reproductive effects have not been observed in animal studies.

A review of toluene and its potential to cause reproductive toxicity in workers has been published. Three cross-sectional studies evaluated fertility in women exposed to toluene or in the wives of exposed men. No conclusions can be drawn based on these studies due to limitations such as selection bias, recall bias, and the fact that the workers were exposed to other potentially harmful chemicals. Another study suggests that menstrual function is not affected by exposure to toluene.


Will toluene cause effects on the fetus/unborn baby?

Toluene is a developmental toxicity hazard, based on information obtained from animal studies. Fetotoxicity (reduced fetal weight), behavioural effects (effects on learning and memory) and hearing loss (in males) have been observed in the offspring of rats exposed by inhalation to 1200 or 1800 ppm toluene. These effects were observed in the absence of maternal toxicity.

A detailed review of toluene and its potential to cause teratogenicity/embryotoxicity in occupational situations has been published. This review concludes that although many occupational studies have evaluated general solvent exposure and pregnancy outcomes, few studies have specifically investigated toluene exposure. Most of these studies have involved exposure to solvents in general or to certain solvent classes, with toluene exposure addressed as a co-exposure or identified as a common exposure in a sub-group. Outcomes of concern included miscarriages and teratogenicity (congenital malformations).

Concerns about the potential teratogenicity of toluene in humans have also arisen due to effects (facial aberrations, reduced growth, neurobehavioural delay, renal/urinary problems) seen in solvent abuse cases (glue-sniffing). These extreme exposures to toluene, as well as other confounding factors such as tobacco and alcohol abuse, are not relevant to occupational situations.


Will toluene act in a synergistic manner with other materials (will its effects be more than the sum of the effects from the exposure to each chemical alone)?

Combined exposure to toluene and noise, toluene and n-hexane, toluene and aspirin or toluene, ethylbenzene and noise has caused a synergistic loss of hearing in animal studies. Increased hearing loss has also been observed in workers in some studies following long-term exposure to toluene and noise.


Is there potential for toluene to build-up or accumulate in my body?

Toluene is readily absorbed by inhalation, ingestion and through the skin.

Inhaled toluene appears quickly in the brain fat (lipid) where it is rapidly eliminated. The half-life in human adipose tissue is 0.5-2.7 days. Toluene is removed rapidly from the blood. It is metabolized in the liver where it is converted via several steps primarily to hippuric acid, which is excreted in the urine. A small amount of toluene is also exhaled unchanged. Toluene has been identified in human milk.

cheers tax but as you can see from the post immediately above yours there is no need to worry

actually, toluene itself is not so much of a health hazard, but

Toluene can decompose at high temperatures forming toxic gases.

A lot of bollocks above and not from me. Toluene is made by distilling the by-products of coke. Its preparation involves countless carcinogenic compounds. I doubt that the Thais are able to produce Tolly which is 100% pure.

This from Wikipedia -

Toluene should not be inhaled due to its health effects. Low to moderate levels can cause tiredness, confusion, weakness, drunken-type actions, memory loss, nausea, loss of appetite, and hearing and color vision loss. These symptoms usually disappear when exposure is stopped. Inhaling high levels of toluene in a short time may cause light-headedness, nausea, or sleepiness. It can also cause unconsciousness, and even death.
Toluene is, however, much less toxic than benzene, and has, as a consequence, largely replaced it as an aromatic solvent in chemical preparation. For example, benzene is a known carcinogen, whereas toluene has very little carcinogenic potential.


The carcinogenic potential of toluene in a refinery is high. No so the purified chemical.

Originally Posted by can123

Toluene should not be inhaled due to its health effects. Low to moderate levels can cause tiredness, confusion, weakness, drunken-type actions, memory loss, nausea, loss of appetite, and hearing and color vision loss. These symptoms usually disappear when exposure is stopped. Inhaling high levels of toluene in a short time may cause light-headedness, nausea, or sleepiness. It can also cause unconsciousness, and even death.

Do they put this substance in Thai beer?

Originally Posted by The_Ghost_Of_The_Moog

Do they put this substance in Thai beer?

No, but I have read that formaldehyde is added to one well known beer. It is the compound used to prevent putrefaction of tissue. Frankenstein's brain would have been kept in a jar of it. Its presence is responsible for thumping headaches after drinking the beer.

Returning to the toluene issue. It is a total red herring and they have emphasised its presence so that people will forget about the end product butadiene which is one of the principal products at that refinery. It is a nasty chemical which causes leukaemia amongst other nasty things.

Originally Posted by The_Ghost_Of_The_Moog

Originally Posted by can123

Toluene should not be inhaled due to its health effects. Low to moderate levels can cause tiredness, confusion, weakness, drunken-type actions, memory loss, nausea, loss of appetite, and hearing and color vision loss. These symptoms usually disappear when exposure is stopped. Inhaling high levels of toluene in a short time may cause light-headedness, nausea, or sleepiness. It can also cause unconsciousness, and even death.

Do they put this substance in Thai beer?

I rather think you are confusing it with glycerol ( glycerine ) which is added to many Indian beers, notably Kingfisher. It sweetens and also acts as a preservative.

Originally Posted by The_Ghost_Of_The_Moog

Originally Posted by can123

Toluene should not be inhaled due to its health effects. Low to moderate levels can cause tiredness, confusion, weakness, drunken-type actions, memory loss, nausea, loss of appetite, and hearing and color vision loss. These symptoms usually disappear when exposure is stopped. Inhaling high levels of toluene in a short time may cause light-headedness, nausea, or sleepiness. It can also cause unconsciousness, and even death.

Do they put this substance in Thai beer?

I rather think you are confusing it with glycerol ( glycerine ) which is added to many Indian beers, notably Kingfisher. It sweetens and also acts as a preservative.

No confusion on my part. No confusion on my part.

Originally Posted by can123

Originally Posted by The_Ghost_Of_The_Moog

Do they put this substance in Thai beer?

No, but I have read that formaldehyde is added to one well known beer. It is the compound used to prevent putrefaction of tissue.

Formalin is routinely added to meat in Thailand. One reason you see so much liver cancer in Thais.

Thai FDA occasionally does 'raids' on food stalls and finds formalin a high percentage of times.

I have a friend who has a Masters who works for Thai FDA. She's sent me reports of their 'raids'.