Measures mooted for safe transportation of chemicals

Measures mooted for safe transportation of chemicals: Among the 20-point guideline formed at the end of the session of Kerala's National Safety Council meeting, to have atleast two experts on barges for handling emergencies,  preference to pipeline transport, training, etc

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Kochi/measures-mooted-for-safe-transportation-of-chemicals/article8747804.ece?utm_source=RSS_Feed&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS_Syndication

Banana benefits for workers of chemical factories

In a major fire incident on 5 Sep 2012 in a fire cracker manufacture unit at Sivakasi, more than 35 persons died and several were injured. Some of the died were those who went for rescue. In different news reports, it is stated that the rooms where crackers are made are totally congested with little free space and with Diwali festival approaching, the finished products in cartons were stored in the same rooms where crackers are being made.
In a news report, which I am unable to get link, I read that the chemical fumes / dust in the work atmosphere is recognized by factory managements and in some factories, workers are give banana allowance of Rs 35/week so that workers can eat bananas and get rid of ill effects of chemicals entering the digestive track.

This reminds me of my experience ten years ago in a chlorine manufacturing unit, where I attended a two-day  training programme on safe handling of chemicals. As a part of the programme, the organizers demonstrated handling of chlorine emergencies by using emergency tool kit, transfer of chlorine from one tonner to another by opening the valve of a tonner. Before start of this demo, they gave jaggery to all participants standing in a circle around the tonner and were asked to keep it in the mouth and swallow the jaggery juices forming in the mouth. The reason told was that it will help in clearing the throat choking if and when we are exposed to chlorine accidentally. Similarly, pipper mint also will help in same manner.

So, there are some cheap and workable methods that help us from ill effects of chemicals and can be followed.

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/at-least-54-killed-50-injured-in-fire-at-sivakasi-cracker-unit/998193/0
http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/tamil-nadu/article3862000.ece
http://zeenews.india.com/news/tamil-nadu/major-fire-at-sivakasi-cracker-unit-leaves-scores-dead_797872.html
http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2012-09-10/news/33737341_1_sivakasi-cracker-makers-illegal-units

Dead teach the living - A study on delayed effects of MIC

A study by ICMR on effects of MIC released during 1984 Bhopal accident published in The Hindu states that MIC and its degradation products cause edema and fibrosis. We use thousands of chemicals (more than 5,00,000) and but we know the properties and effects only for few thousands. As the old adage says "reinventing the wheel", for healthy life people are propagating organic farming, avoiding meat, eating fruits, doing simple exercises which our ancestors did in the form physical work at home and fields, walking, cycling and so on.
We need not overreact on knowing about dangers, but one should be careful and be judicious while dealing with any of the chemicals so that we can atleast sustain the environment for future generations.