PUDUCHERRY: The ghost of the Bhopal gas tragedy rocked Puducherry when more than 300 people including 100 children from Chinna Kalapet took ill after inhaling chlorine gas, which had leaked from Chemfab Alkalis Limited, situated in the area. They developed nausea, vomiting and irritation of the throat after inhaling the gas with some even fainting around the time (between 7.30 and 8 am) that they were brought to the Indira Gandhi Government General Hospital and Post Graduate Institute (IGGGH&PGI) where they were provided medical attention, after being referred by the Primary Health Centre, Kalapet.
A 10-year-old boy Santosh, who is asthmatic and has been kept in the paediatric intensive care unit, was provided with oxygen. The others including an infant have all been examined and kept under general observation. “No one is serious, in fact everyone in fine. There is no cause for worry,” said home and health minister E Valsaraj who visited the patients along with PWD minister M O H F Shajahan. Both the ministers who visited the factory said that the collector had ordered the closure of the factories of Chemfab Alkalis Limited under Section 144 CrPC. Valsaraj who is the minister for science, technology and environment said that an enquiry had been ordered to probe the incident. Medical superintendent of the hospital Dr V Govindraj said that no one was serious and the symptoms developed due to the inhalation of chlorine would subside within two to three hours. “The pungent smell of chlorine in heavy quantities will produce irritation and nausea,” said Dr M C K Reddy, paediactric specialist and Unit-III head who is attending on the children.
As chlorine gas is heavier than air, it settles down instead of going up, as a result of which its effect is greater.
Narrating the incident, Valsaraj said that due to a leakage in the safety valve of a storage tank, which is operated manually, the gas had leaked. The factory will remain closed till the enquiry is completed and corrective measures are taken to ensure safety of people living in the area. Not only humans, even plants suffered the brunt with the leaves of some plants getting parched.