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After the explosion in Leverkusen: Warning of poison cloud - watch out for oily soot particles

2021-07-28T09:32:16.258Z


After the huge explosion in the Chempark in Leverkusen, a thick black cloud rose. How toxic the cloud of smoke was is still unclear.


After the huge explosion in the Chempark in Leverkusen, a thick black cloud rose.

How toxic the cloud of smoke was is still unclear.

  • In a huge explosion in the Chempark in Leverkusen, a cloud of black smoke rose.

  • Residents should close doors and windows.

    The authorities warned of "extreme danger".

  • Air measurements in the Leverkusen city area remained inconspicuous.

    However, the authorities continue to warn of soot precipitation.

Leverkusen - A huge explosion shook the city of Leverkusen on Tuesday around 9:40 a.m.

It was noticeable up to 40 kilometers.

Eyewitnesses reported a ball of fire that rose up.

Videos spread across social media showing a thick cloud of black smoke covering the city of Leverkusen.

It quickly became clear that there had been an explosion and fire in a hazardous waste incineration plant in Chempark Leverkusen.

The warning apps

Katwarn

and

Nina

triggered and warned of an "extreme danger".

Residents should move into closed rooms, close doors and windows.

At the time of the incident, there was more of a westerly wind.

The gigantic cloud of smoke departed in a northeasterly direction.

There, too, the population was warned.

After the explosion in Chempark Leverkusen - hope for survivors sinks

Two employees were killed.

31 people are injured, one of them with severe burns in mortal danger.

Five employees are still missing, the city of Leverkusen announced on Tuesday evening.

Before that there had been three people.

The search for the missing is still going on at full speed.

"Unfortunately, the hope of finding them alive is dwindling noticeably," said Chempark manager Lars Friedrich according to a press release on Tuesday evening.

One day after the explosion - on Wednesday - the search for the missing continues.

Warning of poisonous cloud after explosion in hazardous waste incineration plant

However, the explosion and fire in the Bürrig hazardous waste incineration plant raise questions.

The cause of the explosion is still unclear at first.

But what pollutants were released into the air in the explosion and fire?

Three tanks (up to 400 cubic meters) with liquid production waste from the chemical industry have burned, said Chempark manager Lars Friedrich at a quickly convened press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

These should be disposed of - incinerated - in the hazardous waste incineration plant.

Solvents were also chlorinated solvents.

How much burned is not clear.

Friedrich did not rule out that toxic substances were also released.

Air measurements were taken throughout the city on Tuesday by the Leverkusen fire brigade and the State Office for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection (LANUV).

They remained inconspicuous, announced the city of Leverkusen.

At 6.30 p.m. the all-clear also for the Bürrig district: Windows and doors could be opened again.

The sirens in Leverkusen howl continuously for one minute.

After the explosion in Leverkusen - Bürrig: Beware of soot particles

However, there is still an express warning against soot particles.

According to the LANUV, it is only possible towards the end of the week whether there are relevant substances in the "precipitation after the fire incident."

According to the city of Leverkusen, this so-called soot precipitation has already been reported from Bürrig to the border of Küppersteg, Opladen, Quettingen and Lützenkirchen.



“These are cent- to euro-sized particles that have an oily consistency,” reports the city of Leverkusen.

The city has issued information on how to behave with the soot particles.

Because it is still unclear what is in these particles, whether and how toxic they are.

Cleaning is forbidden at first.

For example, particles should remain on window sills until the LANUV has analyzed the ingredients.

Then the city would provide information on how to deal with this pollution.

The city also advises against eating vegetables and fruit from the garden as a precaution.

  • Please do not bring any soot into the apartment, i.e. take off your shoes and leave them in front of the front door.

  • As a precaution, do not consume food from the garden.

  • As a precaution, do not use playgrounds, play equipment, garden furniture, pools and other things on which soot has fallen.

  • As a precaution, do not clean the soiled objects, as an increased concentration of pollutants cannot yet be ruled out.

  • Wear gloves as a precaution when working in the garden that cannot be postponed.

  • Particles on the window sills, for example, should remain until the LANUV has analyzed the ingredients.

  • Cars can be cleaned in the car wash because wastewater is treated there. 

Residents should report if they discover residues and soot deposits on properties and streets.

A telephone hotline has been set up specifically for this at 0214 / 406-3333.

The operating company Currenta will promptly clean streets, sidewalks and house entrances on behalf of the city.

But until the results of the analyzes are available, caution is called for in Leverkusen.

Until then, those affected have to live with the uncertainty as to whether substances harmful to health have been released.

And if so, how dangerous they are for children, animals and the environment.

(ml)

Source: merkur

All news articles on 2021-07-28

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