Home / Disasters and Accidents / Ammonia Leak Kills Seven, Hospitalizes Over 40 in Tamil Nadu
Ammonia Leak Kills Seven, Hospitalizes Over 40 in Tamil Nadu
22 Jun
Summary
- Seven people died and over 40 were hospitalized due to an ammonia gas leak.
- Ammonia exposure causes severe irritation, breathing difficulties, and potential death.
- There is no specific treatment; care focuses on removing ammonia and managing symptoms.
Seven individuals lost their lives and more than 40 others were hospitalized following an ammonia gas leak at a private seafood export company in Tamil Nadu. The leak's hazardous fumes extended to the workers' residential premises, leading to widespread medical emergencies. Critically ill patients have been transferred to Stanley Medical College in Chennai for advanced treatment, with others receiving care at local hospitals.
Ammonia exposure at high concentrations triggers immediate irritation to the skin, eyes, throat, and lungs, potentially causing symptoms like abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and severe breathing difficulties. Long-term consequences can include chronic cough, asthma, and lung scarring, as suggested by a 2012 study on workers in a urea manufacturing plant.
Currently, there is no specific antidote for ammonia exposure. Medical professionals focus on removing the chemical from the body and providing supportive care for the symptoms that arise. This incident follows previous ammonia gas leaks, including one in Uttar Pradesh in 2022 and another in Haryana approximately two years prior.
Ammonia is a widely used industrial chemical, vital in producing fertilizers, plastics, explosives, and various other chemicals. It also serves roles in water purification, household cleaners, and as a refrigerant gas, which is suspected to be its use in the Tamil Nadu facility.
