Ludhiana gas tragedy calls for stronger industrial safety measures: Expert

"It is time to prioritise the safety and well-being of citizens over the interests of the industrial sector. Only then can we prevent tragedies like this from happening again," cautioned Dr. Naresh Purohit, Executive Member of the Indian Association of Occupational Health (IAOH).

Voicing his concern on the safety measures in the industrial area of Ludhiana's Giaspura locality, where 11 people died allegedly after inhaling toxic gas, the noted Epidemiologist and Advisor for National Programme for Control and Treatment of Occupational Diseases - Purohit-told UNI here that as per the official statement from the district administration, high levels of hydrogen sulphide gas (H2S) has been detected in the area.

Purohit said H2S is a colourless gas and is commonly recognised for its distinct rotten egg smell. H2S is considered an irritant and a chemical asphyxiant, which is any substance that inhibits the flow of oxygen from the bloodstream to the cells or prevents cellular respiration even if there is ample oxygen in the immediate environment.

"H2S gas can effectively stop a person's ability to breathe when the lungs absorb the gas. Depending on the level present, a person will generally notice irritated eyes, running nose, and coughing. If the levels increase, the consequences are increasingly severe, he added.

He averred that neuro-toxicity can occur if one is exposed to the deadly gas.

He said prolonged inhalation of H2S gas can cause serious injury to a person’s central nervous system, at high concentrations and a person can suffer unconsciousness, coma, seizures, and even death.

"Short-term exposures to H2S gas can cause headaches, nausea, and irritation to the eyes and skin," he pointed out.

He said according to the recent Annals of Saudi Medicine study, “H2S is immediately fatal when concentrations are over 500-1000 parts per million (ppm) but exposure to lower concentrations, such as 10-500 ppm, can cause various respiratory symptoms that range from rhinitis to acute respiratory failure."

"H2S may also affect multiple organs, causing temporary or permanent derangements in the nervous, cardiovascular, renal, hepatic, and hematological systems,” he added.