Immediately evacuate everyone from impact zone of styrene gas leak: environmentalists

Environmentalists have advised that there must be immediate evacuation of everyone from areas in proximity to the factory in Vishakhapatnam where a styrene gas leak took place as the chemical is highly toxic and causes severe health impact both in the short and long terms.

Sunita Narain, director general at the Centre for Science, said styrene can be more dangerous if it reacts with oxygen in the air and converts into Styrene di-oxide. She said evacuation of people is needed and advised them to wear wet masks to protect themselves.

According to India's Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules 1989, styrene is classified as a 'hazardous and toxic chemical'.

Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director, transport, at the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said air is the medium and the styrene gas is toxic and it is this kind of exposure that has caused the huge harm.

CSE researcher Soundaram Ramanathan said the gas is still in the air and even its mild form can ..