The number of people affected by a sulfur dioxide discharge from
a chemical plant in southwest China's Guizhou Province has risen to
450, a local official said on Wednesday.
The victims had received free treatment in three hospitals and
clinics in Xifeng County, including 14 who reported serious
headaches and cramps.
Environment officials in Guiyang, the provincial capital, said
the air quality had returned to normal by Wednesday. The sulfur
dioxide concentration was 180 to 200 mg per cubic meter, below the
national safety benchmark.
The chemical plant, which produces triple superphosphate (TSP),
a chemical fertilizer, at the Xiaozhaiba Township of Xifeng County,
discharged a huge amount of sulfur dioxide into the air on Monday
morning due to a malfunctioning treatment device.
The sulfur dioxide -- a colorless and extremely irritating gas
or liquid which can affect the lungs and lead to breathing
difficulties -- could not disperse quickly because of the heavy fog
and slow air movement at the time, said Huang Qiubin, the county
magistrate.
As a result, 450 people, including five teachers and 135
children from two primary schools and a middle school, reported
respiratory problems and were sent to a local hospital, Huang
said.
Local authorities declined to give the exact number of the
people still in hospital, saying many were quickly discharged and
they are carrying out further investigations into the incident.
(Xinhua News Agency April 19, 2007)
