Seven Critical After Chemical Factory Blaze

[Lite Beer]

Seven critical after chemical factory blaze

The Nation on Sunday

Bystanders were astonished by the fire and explosion at the Bangkok Synthetics factory in Rayong

BANGKOK:-- Some 47 people were injured - seven of them critically - after a fire broke out yesterday at the Bangkok Synthetics factory in Map Ta Phut.

The sky over the Rayong industrial estate was covered with thick black smoke from chemicals burnt during the blaze. Deputy Public Health Minister Dr Surawit Khonsomboon warned people in Rayong not to store rainwater for consumption, as it may be contaminated by toxic chemicals released by the fire.

Surawit said rain actually helped stop the smoke from spreading but the disadvantage was rainwater might dissolve toxic chemicals, so people should not use rainwater for consumption currently.

The fire took place around 3pm yesterday after people heard three explosions at the factory, located on the I7 road in the estate. The explosions were felt up to three kilometres away and the smell of burnt chemicals also spread.

Some 60 workers were in the factory at the time of blaze and rescue workers and police rushed to help them out, while firemen from 10 engines battled to prevent the fire spreading to nearby factories and chemical tanks.

It took four hours until Rayong Governor Seni Jitkasem said the fire was brought under control, at 7pm. But officials continued to spray water to reduce the temperature at the site and the area was sealed off for an official inspection.

Governor Seni said the fire started from a tank of toluene, which workers were cleaning to prepare for the factory opening on Monday. It was initially suspected that human error caused the fire, but police would seek to find out if this was the cause, he said.

However, Industry Minister MR Pongsvas Svasti said the explosion occurred while the factory was not operating. And it was suspected the fire broke out because of inflammable chemicals still in pipes that maintenance officers may have missed while working.

Sumetha Wichienphetch, head of the Pollution Control emergency centre at the estate, said the chemical at the factory was toluene, which wasn't highly toxic and did not cause people to get cancer. He said sunlight and rain should dilute and wash the toluene away, but local officials warned people not to store rainwater for a period. He said the department would inspect the site for any leftover chemical, to restore public confidence that things were safe.

-- The Nation 2012-05-06

[Lite Beer]

Five killed, 95 injured in Map Ta Phut fire

At least five people were killed in the massive fire that broke out at the Bangkok Synthetics factory in Map Ta Phut Saturday, Deputy Public Health Minister Dr Surawit Khonsomboon said Sunday.

Surawit told Spring News TV that two of the five died at hospitals and three others died at the scene.

He said 95 people were injured, five critically. Two of the injured were rescue volunteers.

-- The Nation 2012-05-06

[Lite Beer]

IEAT assures public of control over Map Ta Phut fire incident

RAYONG, 6 May 2012 (NNT) - The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand has assured that the fire incident in Map Ta Phut has been under control.

Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) Governor Verapong Chaiperm said that the fire accident at the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate on Saturday needs further and thorough investigation before more details about the damages can be revealed.

A gas tank at a tire factory exploded and started fire, which spread through its premises and killed at least 8 and injured nearly a hundred.

The IEAT Governor said that that all the injured have received medical attention while workers and people residing near the factory have also been evacuated.

Mr. Verapong stated that the chemical leak problem has been in control while all related parties have been working collaboratively to cope with the problems.

The troubled factory has also been closed temporarily by the IEAT.

-- NNT 2012-05-06

[MEL1]

That's a nice, clean, white T-shirt the rescue worker is displaying in the above picture.

What's that all about?

-mel.

[pimay11]

Even more reasons NOT to build a nuclear power plant in Thailand.

[WhizBang]

According to OSHA, Toluene levels of 500 ppm are considered immediately dangerous to life and health.

[pimay11]

He said the department would inspect the site for any leftover chemical, to restore public confidence that things were safe.

Boy that really gives me the warm fuzzies. I'm suprised the words "it will not affect tourism" were not included in his announcement.

[Lite Beer]

Death toll from Map Ta Phut factory fire rises to 12, while 24 out of 142 injured remain in hospital, PM to inspect area on Sunday /MCOT

[chrisinth]

That's a nice, clean, white T-shirt the rescue worker is displaying in the above picture.

What's that all about?

-mel.

Probable coordinator. The rescue teams on site will be suited-up (even in this country) due to the risks of the chemicals.

[pimay11]

Death toll from Map Ta Phut factory fire rises to 12, while 24 out of 142 injured remain in hospital, PM to inspect area on Sunday /MCOT

Yet another photo op coming up to show she really cares.

[philw]

Death toll from Map Ta Phut factory fire rises to 12, while 24 out of 142 injured remain in hospital, PM to inspect area on Sunday /MCOT

Yet another photo op coming up to show she really cares.

Death toll from Map Ta Phut factory fire rises to 12, while 24 out of 142 injured remain in hospital, PM to inspect area on Sunday /MCOT

Yet another photo op coming up to show she really cares.

What an ugly comment.

12 dead and probably more to come, but seemingly no limit to the TV asinine remarks.

[phiphidon]

snip (too many quotes)

Yet another photo op coming up to show she really cares.

What an ugly comment.

12 dead and probably more to come, but seemingly no limit to the TV asinine remarks.

It's all about making a point on here philw, doesn't matter how low you stoop apparently. We had one poster on here who seemed to delight in posting the latest death tolls during the floods last year and has now moved on to posting death toll posts in the south, just to make a point.

No accounting for some folk.....................

[Garry]

That's a nice, clean, white T-shirt the rescue worker is displaying in the above picture.

What's that all about?

-mel.

Probable coordinator. The rescue teams on site will be suited-up (even in this country) due to the risks of the chemicals.

I agree as well, I'm a trained Incident Commander myself. My hat is off to advisors advising the local community to not use stored rain water due to potential disolved toxins risk. Getting the locals to comply will be the hard task I would imagine.

[Thai at Heart]

There Are some very good cleaning firms in rayong and some real cowboys. Combine that with dodgy/lowest bid tenders for jobs and this was an accident waiting to happen.

[Lite Beer]

Blaze at Thai chemical factory kills 12

BANGKOK, May 6, 2012 (AFP) - A large blaze at a chemical factory in eastern Thailand killed 12 people, injured more than 100 and spewed toxic smoke into the air, the health ministry said on Sunday.

Hundreds of residents had to be evacuated after the fire, which was caused by an explosion at the factory in Rayong province, sent a plume of black acrid smoke into the sky on Saturday.

Firefighters quelled the blaze but health officials continued to monitor air quality amid concerns poisonous fumes may still seep into the air.

A health ministry statement said 12 people had died in the explosion and ensuing fire while 129 were injured, mainly suffering burns.

The majority of the victims are believed to be factory workers.

"Doctors said 12 were killed in yesterday's explosion but we can only confirm 10 so far," Map Ta Phut police Lieutenant Colonel Charoen Vititkornkul said.

"Police forensic teams are searching for clues to what happened and we are also looking for any more bodies," he said, adding police were ready to evacuate more local residents if necessary.

Rayong province, some 140 kilometres (90 miles) south of Bangkok, is one of Thailand's biggest industrial areas.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2012-05-06

[Scott]

Some off-topic posts have been deleted. Please read the OP and the updates and stick to the topic, which isn't about the cost of school uniforms.

[Lite Beer]

PETROCHEMICALS

BST facility suspended after deadly explosion

Nation News Agency

Bangkok Synthetics Plc's operations in Map Ta Phut, Rayong has been suspended, following the explosion at its synthetic tyre furnace on May 5.

Industry Minister Pongsawat Svasti said today, before accompanying Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s helicopter ride to Rayong, that he has also ordered a throrough check of security systems at all facilities in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate as well as the air condition.

Yingluck was scheduled to visit the injured workers and attend a briefing on the situation.

He noted that the hydrocarbon elemements in the air remain at normal level and no carcinogenic substance is found, despite the leak of toluene - a feedstock for synthetic tyre production.

He said that villagers from 10 communities nearby, ordered for evacuation yesterday, should be able to return home today.

As of now, death toll hit 12, he added.

According to Deputy Public Health Minister Surawit Khonsomboon added that injuries hit 119. Of that, 99 has returned home and 30 remain hospitalised at four hospitals in the area, for burn treatment.

Surawit assured that the government is ready to cover all medical expenses.

-- The Nation 2012-05-06

[Honkytowner]

It's a tragedy that innocent people were killed and injured, but I coudn't resist observing that Wikipedia says toluene is sometimes abused as a dissociative and euphoric inhalant, and at low to moderate levels "can cause tiredness, confusion, weakness, drunken-type actions, memory loss ..."

I think quite a few members of Thailand's political elite must have been huffing this stuff.

Edited May 6, 2012 by Honkytowner

[Scott]

An off-topic post has been removed.

[rhino533]

I live 11km from this factory and I felt and heard the explosion at my house. All the curtains moved when the boom/shock wave came.

[CHANGOVER]

We are thinking of moving to Ban Chang, would that area be affected by 'fallout' from the industrial site?

[lazyguy]

We are thinking of moving to Ban Chang, would that area be affected by 'fallout' from the industrial site?

If the wind comes from south-west, Ban Chang is safe but if it comes from east or south-east - as is right

now - you get the a good blast of Mataput air.

Just today we we were cruising around and looking for some more distant place to live. If you want to play

safe I guess the best close place to Ban Chang on the sea are the rare public beaches and villages between

the Queen Sirikit hospital and Sattahip.

[Lite Beer]

Industry Ministry confident no chemical contamination around Map Ta Phut

RAYONG, 6 May 2012 (NNT) – The Industry Ministry is confident that the fire incident in Map Ta Phut has left no trace of chemical contamination that may harm Rayong residents.

Industry Minister M.R. Phongsawat Svastiwat said on Sunday that the total deaths from the fire accident at a tire factory in Map Ta Phut on Saturday stood at 12.

He added that 105 have been injured, 25 of whom are receiving medical attention and 3 are still in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

M.R. Phongsawat said that the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand has promptly set up a special team to inspect any case of chemical contamination and leakage.

The Industry Minister also assured that the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate has one of the best safety systems in Asia and that the public should remain calm and have no worry about the impact from the incident.

He added that the rehabilitation of all who have been affected by the incident will be responsible by the company, which owns the blasted factory.

M.R. Phongsawat said he is confident that there is no chemical contamination around the factory area, while suggesting that those who have been evacuated will be allowed back home by Sunday.

-- NNT 2012-05-06

[JohnAllan]

Public confidence will be instilled - as it should - only when there are sufficiently effective laws and safety standards in place, and both are rigorously enforced.

[Eff1n2ret]

If the wind comes from south-west, Ban Chang is safe but if it comes from east or south-east - as is right

now - you get the a good blast of Mataput air.

Nonsense - it has been between West and South for days, and certainly during the last 24 hours, as per Thai Met Office info:-

http://www.tmd.go.th...ionNumber=48478

Outside of the dry November - February period, when the prevailing wind is North-Easterly (and carries the Mahtaphut pollution out to sea), there are not that many days when the wind is directly East or South-East

[Lite Beer]

Death toll in Map Ta Phut factory fire rises to 12

BANGKOK, May 6 – The death toll from a fire at a factory in the Map Ta Phut industrial estate has risen to 12, while 24 out of 142 injured people remain hospitalised, according to the Public Health Ministry on Sunday.

Dr Surawit Khonsomboon, deputy public health minister, said that the explosion and fire at a unit of Bangkok Synthetics Co (BST), a petrochemical factory in this industrial estate in the eastern province of Rayong killed 12 people including nine on-site and three at the hospital later.

Two bodies remain unidentified while 24 out of 142 injured victims remain hospitalised.

Two patients are in critical condition and the province’s emergency plan is still in place. Residents in ten communities around the industrial estate have evacuated to the Pattaya side.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Sunday travelled by a helicopter to visit the injured and will convene a meeting with local officials to discuss measures mitigating any impact from the explosion and chemical leakage.

Industry Minister Pongsvas Svasti said the factory was ordered to close and residents will be able to return by Sunday.

The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) Governor Veerapong Chaiperm and Dr. Wijarn Simachaya, Director-General of the Pollution Control Department, met leaders of local communities around the industrial estate for discussions about the aftermath of the explosion and possible environmental impacts.

Residents asked officials to step up surveillance and prevention measures.

According to the officials, air quality inspection found the level of air pollution is still at normal and safe levels.

Air quality monitoring equipment will be installed at the site and mobile units will be dispatched to patrol nearby areas. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-05-06

[Lite Beer]

Industrial Estate Authority speeds up investigation of fire at Map Ta Phut factory

BANGKOK, May 6 - The Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) has speeded up investigation of an explosion and fire at a unit of Bangkok Synthetics Co (BST), a petrochemical factory in Map Ta Phut industrial estate, located in the eastern province of Rayong.

IEAT Governor Veerapong Chaiperm said the cause of the initial explosion has not yet been determined.

The IEAT ordered the company to stop its butadiene rubber production in order to find the cause of the explosion and to assess damages from the incident as well as to equipment in nearby areas.

Residents who had previously evacuated from the area have already returned to their homes. BST Company is to be responsible for the compensation for those who died from the fire as well as to those injured and affected.

The IEAT has closely monitored any possible impact on the neighbouring environment, sending out teams to check air quality and water in nearby communities every hour.

So far, every parameter has indicated the air quality is within safety standards, while contaminated water used to extinguish the fire was kept for treatment and not released to public waters. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2012-05-06

[pattaya1234]

Several news sites now reporting a dozen dead

http://www.pattaya24seven.com/blog/?p=1675

Like others said, very grateful that a nuclear plant in Thailand looks to be a long way off. Seems like every year there's some kind of major incident on this estate.

[kruangfaifar]

According to OSHA, Toluene levels of 500 ppm are considered immediately dangerous to life and health.

That would be an interesting fact if we knew the levels of Toluene at the incident which we don't. And since you mentioned OSHA I can share an interesting experience from a few years back when I was hired by one of the chemical companies in MTPIE to oversee the relocation of a process plant from the US to MTPIE so it was interesting to compare the health and safety aspects of both sites. I had 5 Thai Engineers/Techs with me in US. A few of points of note were:

In US the dismantling contractor had a lost time accident (LTA) on day one but the worker who was injured was back at work the next day (with his forearm in a cast) having been told that he would be fired if he took time off sick because it would cause problems with OSHA if they had to report the LTA. In MTPIE we rebuilt the plant over an 18 months period with zero accidents.

The dismantling work in US was carried out without any LOTO system in place because they had "asked their contractor" to isolate the MV feeder to the plant and had received telephone confirmation that the isolation had been carried out. There were in fact two undocumented power feeds into the plant that were only found when workers cut the cables. In contrast the connection in Thailand was done under a LOTO system

The site Safety Manager delayed giving us access to the site because he assumed that my Thai staff wouldn't be able to pass the mandatory safety induction training and subsequent written test. All five guys passed the test easily. However the dismantling contractor didn't fair so well as most of his workers couldn't speak enough English to pass the test so the requirements were waived and they let them on site anyway.

Anyway my sincerest condolensces to the families of the bereaved and I hope the injured recover soon

[sezze]

According to OSHA, Toluene levels of 500 ppm are considered immediately dangerous to life and health.

Not correct . It says 10 min on 8 hour shift is 500ppm limit . This is considered daily dose on 8 hour shift . If a 1 time effect you can have a very big amount more . LD50 is then the rate to look at as this is the value where there is a 50% rate of death , most of the time this is tested on rats , but it can be a other animal like stated in the test ( sometimes it is rabbit ) . Also , there are many values to consider but in cases like this vapour inhalation is the 1 to go for .

Toluene is not very dangerous and is more dangerous for fire then for toxicity . It is a pretty standard dissolvent and practically every home has it in 1 or more forms .