VizagGasLeak: What is Styrene gas and how it effects?

As we know, in a horrifying incident, at least eight people, including a child, died after a Styrene gas leaked from the LG Polymers plant in Vizag on Thursday morning. More than 1000 people have remained in an unconscious state as soon as they inhaled the poisonous styrene chemical.

This case made us recall the 1984 Bhopal tragedy where a similar incident claimed more than 11 lives. Now, in Vizag, styrene gas has been leaked owned by South Korean electronics giant LG, located at RRV Puram near Gopalapatnam. Ever since morning, many viral videos have shown disturbing visuals of people from the surrounding villages – RRV Puram, Venkatapuram, BC Colony, Padmapuram, and Kamparapalem — falling unconscious on the roads. But this case has also made some to foster learn what is this unusual gas all about.

What is Styrene?
Styrene is a synthetic chemical known as ethylbenzene which looks like a colorless liquid and also easily evaporates into the air. This chemical is most commonly used in the manufacture of plastic products, fiberglass, and automobile parts. And, the most toxic substance is styrene monomer. The monomer is the bonding of molecules to form a polymer. Styrene monomer is usually used as a basic building block of the plastics industry.

The alkalization of benzene with ethylene to produce ethylbenzene, followed by dehydrogenation of ethylbenzene to styrene is how the conventional method of styrene is formed. The health experts have told the adverse effects of inhaling the Styrene gas leak on human beings. If one is exposed to styrene, the immediate effect will be seen in the mucous membrane. Also, eye irritation and gastrointestinal fall under primary effects.

While the above mentioned are due to short-term exposure to the chemical, the long-term exposure to styrene in humans results in effects on the central nervous system (CNS), such as headache, fatigue, weakness, and depression, CSN dysfunction, hearing loss, and peripheral neuropathy.

Now, the leakage happens when polymerization in a closed container is ruptured (Just like in the Vizag case). Various epidemiologic studies suggest there may be an alliance between styrene exposure and increased risk of leukemia and lymphoma. Also, spontaneous abortions and decreased frequency of births due to styrene exposure have been common.