The first rainfall after the massive blasts on Aug 12 has prompted fears that remaining hazardous chemicals at the site may pollute the water and then contaminate surrounding areas, which would be a danger to public health.
Since the rainfall, several photos of rainwater covered with white foam have been posted online, with people questioning whether it was polluted or not.
Wen Jinlong, a bus driver commuting from the blast zone to downtown, noticed the white foam, "which is quite different from the situation in light rain".
"I do not feel sick, but I'm still worried about the foam," said the local resident, who is in his 40s.
Experts said people would choke after inhaling a minor amount of oxygen contaminated by sodium cyanide gas, according to a report carried by Caijing.com.
"After the rainfall, the 17(water quality) monitoring stations had not detected any abnormal changes," Deng Xiaowen, director of the Tianjin environment monitoring station, said on Tuesday afternoon. On Monday, officials said the 17 stations within 3 km of the main explosion had detected cyanide since Sunday.
From the photos, it's normal to see some white foam after rain, he added.
- After heavy rainfall, harmful chemical residues on the ground may release toxic gas into the air, said Bao Jingling, chief engineer of Tianjin's bureau of environmental protection.
- As long as there are no further blasts, there will be no direct air pollution, he added. The bureau has carried out more frequent tests on the air and water quality since the rainfall, Bao said, and there have been no substantial leaks of the toxic sodium cyanide.
If an excessive level of cyanide or organic compounds is detected in the air, the authorities will issue warnings and evacuate people from the blast zone, he said.
- "Currently, the rainfall is not heavy and contamination on the surface water is under control," said Bao.
The station said Tianjin was forecast to have more rain from Tuesday night into Wednesday.
In the event of more rain, officials plan to use ponds and drainage systems to store the water, Bao said.
Sewage plants in the city will also add an extra stage to their cleansing process and contaminated water will be channeled through them.
The 1-meter temporary wall built at the core blast zone will be strengthened to prevent contaminated water draining out, he added.
"We will install more monitoring stations for air and water quality, especially when heavy rainfall and gales are due," Bao said.
China Daily - china.org.cn
19/8/15
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Death toll from the massive warehouse explosions on August 12 in North China's Tianjin city remains 114 as of August 20, officials said at a press conference on Thursday. The identities of 107 victims have been confirmed. 69 people remain missing, including 48 firefighters...
ReplyDeleteThe missing firefighters included 5 in active service, and 43 working for the Tianjin Port Group Co.
A total of 648 people remained in hospital, including 53 in critical condition.
http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/938117.shtml
Cyanide in waters near China blast site 277 times acceptable level: govt report...
ReplyDeleteChinese authorities warned that cyanide levels in the waters around the Tianjin Port explosion site had risen to as much as 277 times acceptable levels although they declared that the city's drinking water was safe.
The local government, under pressure from China's leaders in Beijing to improve industrial safety, also said it would relocate chemical plants away from the area, where thousands of residents were forced to evacuate last week after the release of toxic chemicals by explosions that killed 114 people.
China's ruling Politburo Standing Committee called on all levels of governments during a special meeting Thursday to do more to implement and monitor industrial safety rules, the official Xinhua news agency reported.
"Recently, there's been a series of serious accidents in certain places, once again exposing grave safety risks," Xinhua quoted from the meeting, which was called by President Xi Jinping to address the Tianjin explosions.....Reuters.......http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/World/2015/Aug-20/311944-cyanide-in-waters-near-china-blast-site-277-times-acceptable-level-govt-report.ashx
20/8/15