Date: 14 February 2005
SIPCOT Area Community Environment Monitors
27, Abdul Khader Street, Manjakuppam, Cuddlaore 670 001
To
District Environment Engineer
Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board,
Shekhar Nagar,
Cuddalore 670 001
Inspector
Inspector of Factories,
Cuddalore District,
Cuddalore
Copy:
Chairperson, Supreme Court Monitoring Committee (drgtrajan@yahoo.com)
Dr. Claude Alvares, Member SCMC (oib@sancharnet.in)
Chairperson, Local Area Environment Committee Cuddalore, (devika@xlweb.com)
Sub: Industrial accident in M/s Tagros Chemicals (P) Ltd.
Sir:
An industrial accident took place at a reactor in M/s Tagros Chemicals (P) Ltd at SIPCOT Cuddalore at about 11:30 am on 13 February 2005. Sources report that there was a pressure build-up in the said plant and heavy amount of smoke filled the plant and the neighbouring areas between 11:30 am to 11:45 am. The wind direction was towards south and the effects of the smoke were felt at least as far as TANFAC Industries in SIPCOT. It was also reported that the workers in TANFAC had to wear handkerchiefs on their faces to protect themselves from the smoke. A strong chemical odour of methanol and acid reported during this accident.
This is the second accident in the same unit of the company. Last year another accident in this unit had claimed one life.
It is also the second accident reported from Tagros Chemicals in the last week. Last week on February 7, about 600 litres of Hydrochloric Acid (HCl acid) spilled form a tanker parked outside the company. HCl acid is a by-product of Tagros Chemicals.
Sincerely,
T. Arulselvam
SACEM monitor