The blast occurred on Friday at a chemical workshop in Cangzhou,
north China's Hebei Province, has polluted water, but not caused
toxic gas leak, according to the environmental watchdogs.
Environmental departments at state and provincial levels have
designated three sites at a village near the workshop to monitor
water quality. The local environmental bureau announces every 10
minutes the contents of sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, chlorine
and phosgene in the air.
Thus far, all barometers of air quality are normal.
However, about 2,000 cubic meters of water used for putting out
the fire and cleaning the scene of blast have been
contaminated.
The polluted water has been stored in the sewage pipes and a
pool at the pump station in the chemical plant, and is banned from
discharging by the city's environmental authorities.
Five workers have been confirmed dead and 14 others were
seriously injured after a workshop in Cangzhou Dahua TDI Co. Ltd.
exploded at 1:40 PM on Friday. More than 40 people with slight
injuries are still receiving treatment in local hospitals,
according to a spokesperson for the Cangzhou city government.
Investigations into the cause of the explosion are underway.
(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2007)
