City urges setting up of teams for spills
By Winter Zha |
February 5, 2013, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THE local maritime watchdog has suggested setting up of professional teams to handle chemical leaks around reservoirs like Qingcaosha.
The move follows public concerns over water pollution caused by chemical leaks from a ship in Jinshan District last month. Residents panicked as the leak affected drinking water from tap.
"The key is on prevention," said Xu Min, an official with the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration, who overlooks water transport dealing in hazardous goods.
"Rescue and salvage procedure for the chemical leaks is relative hard," he said, adding that some chemicals easily dissolve in water.
A facility has been set up at the mouth of the Yangtze River to handle emergencies like fuel and chemical leaks that threaten the Qingcaosha Reservoir. The reservoir provides drinking water to about 70 percent of Shanghai residents.
The facility can handle and control up to 1,000 ton of fuel leak. But that is not enough as the city lacks emergency tools and professional teams who can handle chemical leaks in the water, officials said.
Last year, Shanghai was twice hit by severe fuel spill and possible chemical leak from ships at the mouth of the Yangtze.
Officials said there were about 5,000 ships and vessels transporting various chemical goods to and from local ports last year.
Many of the carriers with dangerous goods passing through Shanghai waters upstream are not monitored closely.
"We should know what's inside," said Xu, adding that an information sharing platform is needed for tracking down errant ships.
The move follows public concerns over water pollution caused by chemical leaks from a ship in Jinshan District last month. Residents panicked as the leak affected drinking water from tap.
"The key is on prevention," said Xu Min, an official with the Shanghai Maritime Safety Administration, who overlooks water transport dealing in hazardous goods.
"Rescue and salvage procedure for the chemical leaks is relative hard," he said, adding that some chemicals easily dissolve in water.
A facility has been set up at the mouth of the Yangtze River to handle emergencies like fuel and chemical leaks that threaten the Qingcaosha Reservoir. The reservoir provides drinking water to about 70 percent of Shanghai residents.
The facility can handle and control up to 1,000 ton of fuel leak. But that is not enough as the city lacks emergency tools and professional teams who can handle chemical leaks in the water, officials said.
Last year, Shanghai was twice hit by severe fuel spill and possible chemical leak from ships at the mouth of the Yangtze.
Officials said there were about 5,000 ships and vessels transporting various chemical goods to and from local ports last year.
Many of the carriers with dangerous goods passing through Shanghai waters upstream are not monitored closely.
"We should know what's inside," said Xu, adding that an information sharing platform is needed for tracking down errant ships.
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