Vizag gas leak

The symptoms of being affected by the styrene gas are irritation in their eyes, breathlessness, nausea and rashes. People poisoned by styrene felt dizziness and fell unconscious.

However, AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria has said that the gas has very small long-term effects on the body.

Is there any cure?

As far as treatment is concerned, there is no specific antidote or a definite medicine for reversing the effect of Styrene gas. The therapy remains mainly supportive, Dr Randeep Guleria said.

To a question on whether the impact of the exposure can be long-term as was in Bhopal gas tragedy, Dr Guleria said, "The gas doesn't stay for a very long time. The chances of long-term impact are less as the compound metabolises and leaves the body quickly."

Gas leak claims 11 lives

The gas leakage killed two children, aged six and nine, a first-year medical student and two people who fell into a well while fleeing the vapours from the plant.

A 73-year-old man died after sustaining injuries during falling.

The death toll from the accident could go up with at least 20 people on ventilator support. Out of the people affected by the gas leak, 246 people with health complications are undergoing treatment at Visakhapatnam’s King George Hospital, police said.

About 800 people in ground zero, RR Venkatapuram village in Gopalapatnam, were evacuated and most needed only first aid. There were also 20 people inside the chemical plant at the time of the leak, but none of them was hurt as they were well-versed with safety protocol.

Cattle and birds were also knocked unconscious by the gas leak.

Though the source of the leak was contained in the morning, the effects were seen for many hours after.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has put out an advisory on Twitter, asking people to wear a wet cloth or mask, eat banana and jaggery and drink milk to neutralise the effects of the gas.

The symptoms of being affected by the styrene gas are irritation in their eyes, breathlessness, nausea and rashes. People poisoned by styrene felt dizziness and fell unconscious.

However, AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria has said that the gas has very small long-term effects on the body.

Is there any cure?

As far as treatment is concerned, there is no specific antidote or a definite medicine for reversing the effect of Styrene gas. The therapy remains mainly supportive, Dr Randeep Guleria said.

To a question on whether the impact of the exposure can be long-term as was in Bhopal gas tragedy, Dr Guleria said, "The gas doesn't stay for a very long time. The chances of long-term impact are less as the compound metabolises and leaves the body quickly."

Gas leak claims 11 lives

The gas leakage killed two children, aged six and nine, a first-year medical student and two people who fell into a well while fleeing the vapours from the plant.

A 73-year-old man died after sustaining injuries during falling.

The death toll from the accident could go up with at least 20 people on ventilator support. Out of the people affected by the gas leak, 246 people with health complications are undergoing treatment at Visakhapatnam’s King George Hospital, police said.

About 800 people in ground zero, RR Venkatapuram village in Gopalapatnam, were evacuated and most needed only first aid. There were also 20 people inside the chemical plant at the time of the leak, but none of them was hurt as they were well-versed with safety protocol.

Cattle and birds were also knocked unconscious by the gas leak.

Though the source of the leak was contained in the morning, the effects were seen for many hours after.

The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation has put out an advisory on Twitter, asking people to wear a wet cloth or mask, eat banana and jaggery and drink milk to neutralise the effects of the gas.

                                                                                                NEWS SOURSE  INDIA TODAY