The case of the strange smell of the air, fainting of people, shriveled trees: How dangerous is sulfuric acid inhalation?

Lao Cai authorities determined that the sulfuric acid factory had a problem, leading to the burning of trees and mass destruction of leaves.

Regarding the case of a series of trees planted in Phu Nhuan commune (Bao Thang district, Lao Cai province) being burned and broken, on June 1, Mr. Vu Dinh Thuy – Deputy Director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Lao Cai Province said that the working group is still continuing to review and evaluate the specific cause of the incident.

Plants grown in Phu Nhuan commune were burned, and their leaves were cut off. Photo: Lao Cai Newspaper

According to the results of the inspection, review, analysis and evaluation of the interdisciplinary inspection team, the Provincial People’s Committee Lao Cai announced the initial cause as follows: During production activities at DAP Factory No. 2, at the time of morning shift on May 24, 2022, an abnormality was detected.

The SA factory (sulfuric acid factory) had fluctuations in technology index, but the shift workers detected it slowly, leading to the incomplete gas conversion and absorption system, which increased the SA factory’s exhaust gas flow into the environment. school. After detecting the problem, the shift worker adjusted to bring the production line back to normal operating state.

As of May 30, Bao Thang District People’s Committee has made preliminary statistics on 289 households and individuals with affected crops with an area of ​​339ha.

Assoc. Prof. Tran Hong Con – Faculty of Chemistry, University of Natural Sciences (Vietnam National University, Hanoi). Photo: Hanoi National University

Talking more with PV, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Con – Faculty of Chemistry (University of Natural Sciences, Hanoi National University) said that the incident in Lao Cai was a vapor leak at the acid absorption tower of the factory. manufacturing.

Normally, the vapors at this absorption tower are SO2 (sulfur anhydride) and SO3 (sulfuric anhydride). Both vapors are acidic oxides, which, when met with steam or water, form sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid.

“If this vapor is encountered anywhere, most plants burn or die from sulfuric acid and sulfuric acid. SO3 is stronger than SO2, the more acid escapes, the greater the harm.

People who inhale SO3 vapor immediately cough and choke because this is a very strong acid. SO2 is better, people who inhale will feel black and have difficulty breathing. In the long term, these acids cause harmful effects on the alveoli in the lungs and the risk of respiratory disease. In addition, human skin that reacts with acid vapors will cause itching, red hives…”, Assoc. Dr. Con shared.

“Old Man Ozon” Nguyen Van Khai. Photo: TPO

With the same opinion, Dr. Nguyen Van Khai – who is known as “Ozone old man” said that the release of sulfuric acid into the environment causes great harm to humans. It causes diseases of the eyes, lungs, skin, causes ulcers.

“These gases, when released into the environment, will remain partially in the air. People who inhale it will get eye and lung disease.

When it rains it will form acid, which is why many people near sulfur factories feel itchy when walking in the rain. Besides, the acid seeps into the soil and into the tree, causing damage to the tree and the soil,” said Dr. Khai.

“Old man Ozon” added, if people often smell a pungent, burning smell, trees show signs of snapping, burning leaves, it means there is a problem with the nearby sulfuric acid factory. It is possible that the factory did not filter the vapor before releasing it to the environment or the gas conversion and absorption system had problems. Therefore, authorities need to closely monitor these factories and workshops to ensure the safety of people’s lives.

Earlier, on the morning of May 24, people in Phu Nhuan commune (Bao Thang district, Lao Cai province) saw a white gas fly out from the Tang Loong industrial park towards the residential area. After that, people found the air had a burning smell causing discomfort, difficulty breathing, even vomiting, fainting. In the afternoon of the same day, people discovered burnt crops and broken leaves.

On May 25, a delegation chaired by Deputy Director of Lao Cai Department of Natural Resources and Environment Vu Dinh Thuy returned to work with the people.

Through the survey, the phenomenon of burnt crops, leaf stalks appeared in streaks from the area of ​​Tang Loong Apatite ore refinery, adjacent to the SA production workshop of DAP factory No. 2 – Vinachem, extending to the house area. plastic sheet production machine of Tan Hung Thinh Company and to the area of ​​​​Phu Ha 1 village (Phu Nhuan commune).