Toxic gas leaks from tank in warehouse in Brazil

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Toxic gas leaks from tank in warehouse in Brazil

SAO PAULO (AP) — Toxic gas Thursday leaked from tanks in a cargo warehouse in the Brazilian coastal city of Guaruja sending some 40 people to hospitals.

The Guaruja fire department said rainwater seeped into the container where the tanks containing sodium chloride isocyanate were stored, causing a chemical reaction that sent a large white cloud into the sky.

Guaruja Mayor Maria de Antonieta de Brito asked people to stay home because the gas can cause skin irritation, burning sensations, fainting spells and breathing problems.

The gas leak took place at a privately owned warehouse storage facility owned by logistics company Localfrio.

Localfrio spokeswoman Mariela Braga said emergency measures were in place and that the terminal had been evacuated.

She said the gas that leaked was toxic, but "not that toxic." But medical toxicologist Flavio Zambrone disagreed.

"It is an extremely toxic product. It irritates the skin and eyes and if inhaled will also irritate the lungs, "he told the G1 news portal.

According to the Sao Paulo Port Authority, a fire that flared shortly after the leak began spread to 12 other containers carrying chemical products at the terminal. The fire was quickly put out, according to the fire departments.


-- (c) Associated Press 2016-01-15

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Dozens hospitalised after chemical explosion of toxic gas at Brazilian port



SAO PAULO: -- A chemical explosion at Brazil’s biggest port is spreading toxic gas, prompting the evacuation of one terminal and nearby homes.

Local media report dozens of people have been hospitalised following the incident at a cargo warehouse in Santos port, in Guaruja, in the south east of the country.

Sixteen containers are said to have caught fire.

Firefighters say they now have the blaze under control. However, local Mayor, Mario Antonieta de Brito, is warning people to stay indoors and out of the rain, in case it contains “chemical elements that can burn the skin.”

Anny Kaelly works at the affected warehouse. She described the reaction to the explosion. “When we realised what was going on, we left in a hurry. We left everything there. It’s all there. Car, purse, bag… It’s all there.”

The main product being stored was sodium dichloroisocyanurate, a chemical compound widely used as a type of chlorine, or cleansing agent for water.

It should be kept in a sealed environment, however rain is said to have come into contact with the chemical, causing an explosion. It’s not known how the water managed to seep through the containers.


-- (c) Copyright Euronews 2016-01-15