Explosion at plant shatters village windows

By Li Qian | July 30, 2013, Tuesday |

Online Edition

AN explosion during a test at a petrochemical plant that produces a controversial chemical in southeast China’s Fujian Province rocked a nearby village, shattering windows, this morning but there were no casualties or toxic leaks, officials said.

The factory producing paraxylene, or PX, a chemical used to manufacture plastic bottles and polyester clothes that can be dangerous if inhaled or if absorbed through skin. It can cause damage to abdominal organs and the nervous system.

The plant was put into trial operation in June in Zhangzhou City. PX projects have been rejected in several costal regions of China after wide protests over environmental and health risks.

The pipeline at the plant in Gulei Harbor exploded at around 4:40am – the pipe, which was not yet being used, cracked and burned during a pressure test, according to administration of Gulei Economic Development Zone.

Officials said the blast caused damages in the village but the factory’s machines weren’t severely damaged.

Firefighters rushed to the scene at around 5am and concluded their work at 7am.

Nation

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Explosion at plant shatters village windows

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