More than 450 people hospitalized after a sulfur dioxide leak
from a chemical plant in southwest China's Guizhou Province have now been discharged,
local authorities said on Wednesday.
The chemical plant, which produces triple superphosphate (TSP),
a chemical fertilizer, at Xiaozhaiba Town of Xifeng County, leaked
a massive amount of sulfur dioxide into the air on April 16 when a
treatment device malfunctioned.
Sulfur dioxide is a colorless and extremely irritating gas or
liquid which can affect the lungs and lead to breathing
difficulties. The gas could not disperse quickly because of heavy
fog and slow air movement, said county magistrate Huang Qiubin.
More than 450 people, including five teachers and 135 children
from two primary schools and a middle school, reported respiratory
problems and were sent to hospital.
The local environment authority said it was hard to say how much
sulfur dioxide was leaked, but that air quality has now returned to
normal. Huang said they will impose "a heavy fine" on the company,
and government staff are looking into compensation for those
affected.
(Xinhua News Agency April 26, 2007)