Mitigation strategy to reduce the impact of chemical disaster
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
The challenge is to address areas whether India is still weak in enforcing provisions
laid out in the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and Disaster Management Act 2005 for
effective on-site as well as off-site emergency management planning for both industry and
Central/State/District/Local governments.The subject is very critical but sensitive.
Handling large quantities of HAZCHEM in installations, isolated storages, and during
transportation, poses the grave risk of a sudden release of copious quantities of toxicants in
the environment. There are approximately 1,949 Major Accident Hazard (MAH) units in 286
districts in the country, as well as a large numbers of small and medium enterprises having
inventory of hazardous chemicals and handling a large number of chemicals as raw
materials, in processes, products, and wastes, with flammable, explosive, corrosive, toxic
and noxious properties. Any accident involving these may have an adverse impact on both
the community and the environment.
Large quantities of chemicals are also stored/ processed in industries that are
located in densely populated areas. Inappropriate and haphazard construction and the lack
of awareness and preparedness on the part of the community further enhance their
vulnerability. The potential of heavy losses and adverse consequences on the environment
due to a chemical accident calls for further improvement of safety measures in all
processes/procedures and the adoption of appropriate methods for handling HAZCHEMs.
As per data availiable in State of Uttar Pradesh there ar appox. 15739 industrial units
covered under the Factories Act,1948. Out of which 2472 units are covered under section 2
(cb) (HAZARDOUS FACTORIES ) and 121 MAH ( Major Accident Hazard) units in state of
Uttar Pradesh. The data shows that in State of Uttar Pradesh most of all MAH units have
prepared their On- Site emergency Plan as per statutory requirements and all the District
have been developed their Off –Site emergency plan in coordination with District Authority
and Director of Factories.
Although as per statutory provisions regarding constitution of Crisis Groups under
The Manufacture Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals rules,1989 (Ammended
2000) and The Chemical Emergency ( Planning Preparedness and Response) Rules 1996
under E.P. Act 1986 all MAH industries have to prepare and implement on-site emergency
plans and participate in off-site emergency plans prepared by district administrations in
line with regulatory provisions. They also have to participate in mock drills to test the
operation for the worst case scenario, which also provides data for improving existing plans.
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