The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that styrene is a possible carcinogen and can cause cancer under long exposure. Indian Gas Exchange (IGX) : First Indian Gas Exchange. The most important immediate treatment is to give oxygen to affected people. The principle of strict liability was developed in Ryland vs. Fletcher (1868). On 7th May at around 2:30 am, the gas leak incident took place at LG Polymers plant at Gopalapatnam near Visakhapatnam, Tamil Nadu. Context: A gas leak, reminiscent of the 1984 Bhopal tragedy, has affected thousands of residents in five villages in Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh. Don’t lose out on any important Post and Update. What is meant by disposal of property under criminal law? Centre is required to constitute a central crisis group for management of chemical accidents; set up quick response mechanism termed as the crisis alert system. Hence, this principle may not be suited to the challenges posed by technological and industrial advancements of the present day as has been held in. The Indian government had initially claimed US$ 3.3 billion while litigating in the New York courts, however, it ended up eventually settling for a meager US$ 470 million on behalf of the victims. After the Bhopal disaster, many legislations were enacted starting from the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991. It became very difficult as a result to hold anyone institution accountable for cleaning of the site. As per National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the gas leak incident occurred as the LG Polymers unit, which was shut due to the lockdown, was being readied for the resumption of operations. However, it did manage to provide a framework and context for how future such incidents should be handled. (Photo: Twitter/Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation) Visakhapatnam Collector Vinay Chand said 20 ambulances were pressed into service as soon information about the gas leak was received. The people in the zone also need to be evacuated as long-term exposure can be detrimental to their health. As India aims for a wider manufacturing base, it needs to strengthen its approach to public and occupational safety. This settlement was upheld by the Supreme Court. Transparent oversight is not a hurdle to industrial growth. Provision to regulate siting of hazardous units; safety of workers and nearby residents and mandates for on-site emergency plans and disaster control measures. On May 8, the National Green Tribunal took suo moto cognisance and ordered the owners, LG Polymers India Pvt Ltd, to deposit Rs. The incident bears a stark resemblance to the Bhopal gas leak of 1984 and forces us to look back. to affected people. The tribunal also constituted a six-member committee headed by Justice B. Seshasayana Reddy, a former judge of the Andhra Pradesh high court, tasked to find the exact sequence of events leading up to the leak, including the cause of failure; persons and authorities responsible; extent of damage to life, public health, and environment; steps taken to compensate victims and restitute damaged property; etc. However, the litigation was later on transferred to Indian courts in 1987 in the direction of judge Keenan. [New Batch] IASbaba’s Courses- UPSC 2021 : e-CLP, ILP, AIPTS, TLP Connect- ADMISSIONS OPEN! It can enter the human body through breathing, eating food and contact through skin. But it violated the principles of natural justice, in the sense that the lower courts had held the company, the state government and the central government responsible for the tragic accident. Learn everyday with Experts!! India must probe before blaming workers or so called unskilled workers. Law graduate, Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. How does styrene, the chemical being blamed for Vizag gas leak deaths, affects human body? It was held: “an enterprise which is engaged in a hazardous or inherently dangerous industry which poses a potential threat to the health and safety of the persons working in the factory and residing in the surrounding areas owes an absolute and non-delegable duty to the community to ensure that no harm results to anyone on account of hazardous or inherently dangerous nature of the activity which it has undertaken“. We help you prepare better through our free content delivery system.