Chemicals exploded in a blending unit when a mixture was being prepared for the manufacture of ‘putty’ at Peerkankaranai, here on Thursday evening.
Police said the explosion was caused due to the failure of coolant on a plastic container holding Di-butyl Phthalate and Di-Benzyl Peroxide. The accident happened at the Akshaya Arasu Systems run by Soundarajan (48) at Kishkinta Road near Tambaram.
Since the proportion of water-based coolant continued to reduce while the mixture was being manufactured, the temperature began to rise in the chemical mixture inside the container and subsequently there was a huge build up of pressure inside it.
Unassumingly, the employees handling the container removed its lid without realising the pressure built up inside.
This led to a loud explosion injuring four persons including Soundarajan.
All the four sustained chemical burns. There were two houses above the unit but fortunately no damage to property was reported.
Speaking to Express, Peerkankaranai Inspector Govind said that it was not a blast but a chemical accident.
“Soundarajan, who is a Chemistry graduate, had been doing this business of making putty and had been supplying the product to vehicle painting workshops in the vicinity. We were informed that he has a licence to undertake this business.
The four injured include three workers - Balaji, Prabakaran, and Swaminathan and all the four had been moved to Kilpauk Medical College Hospital”, Govind said.
“We are yet to record the statement of Soundarajan”, he added.
When contacted, sources in Kilpauk Medical College Hospital said that all the four were out of danger. Peerkankaranai Police are proceeding with the investigation on the accident scene.