Updated on 10.20 am on August 23, 2015.
A chemical plant exploded in China’s Shandong province on Saturday evening, only ten days after chemicals stored at a warehouse in Tianjin blew up and killed 114 people. The People’s Daily in China reported that the explosion “rocked” an area of radius 5 km but said nothing about any nearby damages. One person was killed in the explosion and nine injuries have been reported as of Sunday morning.
Like with the Tianjin explosion, the chemical plant in Shandong’s Huantai County was located less than a kilometre from residential areas. The People’s Daily also reported that firefighters who responded to the blast and ensuing fire claimed there was adiponitrile on the site. Adiponitrile is an organic compound used in the preparation of a variant of nylon. It is an irritant to the skin and eyes and cause respiratory complications if inhaled. When it burns, it also releases poisonous fumes – but at the same time can be put out by water. However, it isn’t yet clear what other substances were present on site.
Shandong blast: 8 injured after a chemical plant exploded on Sat evening. No fatalities pic.twitter.com/SN8V8LCaja
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) August 22, 2015
Shandong Blast: Firefighters at the scene said the plant contained adiponitrile, which could release toxics in fire pic.twitter.com/7LqnvX1vlT
— People's Daily, China (@PDChina) August 22, 2015