Case Study of Domestic Chemical Safety Accidents (I)

Date: January 24, 2002
Location: Heping to Shankou Expressway, Guangxi
Accident Description: A fully loaded hydrochloric acid tanker rear-ended an empty oil tanker, resulting in 4 injuries and a leak of 12 tons of hydrochloric acid. The driver on duty suffered broken legs, and the female cargo owner sustained a fractured left leg. The lower limbs of two injured individuals were soaked and corroded by the leaking acid, turning black with partial muscle necrosis exposing white bone—a horrific sight. A driver who was resting and sleeping at the time suffered internal injuries with bleeding from the mouth and nose. During the rescue, many relief personnel were also burned by splashing acid.

Cause of Accident: Driver fatigue; the hydrochloric acid tanker, limited to 12 tons, was actually loaded with 27 tons.

Case Study of Domestic Chemical Safety Accidents (II)

Date: February 26, 2002
Location: Weinan City, Shanxi Province
Accident Description: A hydrogen cylinder used for inflating balloons exploded. Three boys around ten years old were playing nearby at the time; one child's left lower leg was blown off instantly.
Cause of Accident: The exploding hydrogen cylinder was homemade and lacked safety safeguards.