Residents say there was a mild smell after a loud noise from a fertilizer manufacturing unit
Residents say there was a mild smell from a fertilizer manufacturing unit followed by a loud noise
The residents of Manali woke up to the loud noise of a fertilizer manufacturing chief in the area on Thursday morning. At the same time some people felt a slight smell of ammonia. Environmental activist Nityananda Jayaraman said the smell persisted till 8 am.
In a tweet, Mr Jayaraman said: “Explosion, leak from MFL; Periyar Nagar, Tiruvottiyur resident complains of mild ammonia smell. Harikrishnapuram resident of Manali reported a loud explosion at Manali Fertilizers at 6.05 am.
Manali resident M. Mahalingam said that ammonia leaks are common in Manali and they have affected the health of the residents over the years. A joint plan was necessary to monitor the industries in the area to prevent gas leakage. A buffer zone should be created between industries and residential areas.
Sources in the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board said some pressure had built up in a valve which had burst, making noise. Since it was immediately corrected, there was no excess ammonia in the ambient air.
Meanwhile, sources in the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health said that the joint at the outlet was meant to release the carbonate solution, which burst as a result of the carbon dioxide gas reacting with liquid ammonia. There was no injury or death due to the incident, which was brought under control immediately, the source said.