Ammonia Gas Leak In Ennore: Several Hospitalised, Coromandel International Ltd Shuts Down Till Further Orders

Tamil Nadu's Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Meyyanathan Siva V, has ordered the temporary shutdown of Coromandel International Limited's industry till further orders following the ammonia gas leak in a sub-sea pipeline in Ennore.

The incident unfolded on Tuesday night when an ammonia gas leak was identified in the pipeline connecting the sea to the factory of a private fertiliser company in Ennore. The strong odour of the chemical immediately raised concern among residents of Periyakuppam and Chinnakuppam, causing panic and rushing out in the middle of their sleep.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu | Ammonia gas leak detected in a sub-sea pipe in Ennore. This was noticed and stopped. The production head says the leak caused a strong smell and five people felt uneasy and were shifted to a health facility. They are fine now: Officials pic.twitter.com/bhCE0vjWSF

— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023

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Although the gas leak was controlled, the ammonia levels in both the ambient air and the sea surged to alarming levels by 3 AM on Wednesday. Analysis by the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) revealed an ammonia level of 3 ppm (2090 microgram/m3, compared to the 400 microgram/m3 24-hour average) in the ambient air.

Additionally, the seawater's ammonia level at 3:49 AM was recorded at 49 mg/L, exceeding the marine discharge standard of 5 mg/L. A mild ammonia odour was reported near the site and nearby villages.

This incident follows closely on the heels of a recent oil spill caused by the Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL) refinery. The oil release into floodwaters impacted residents of Ernavur, causing damage to homes, and belongings, and resulting in various illnesses.

#WATCH | Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma Subramanian meets the people who have been hospitalised after the ammonia gas leak at a chemical factory in Ennore. pic.twitter.com/CdS4p5xLmw

— ANI (@ANI) December 27, 2023

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The ammonia gas leak originated in the subsea pipeline of Coromandel International Ltd, a company specialising in the manufacture of Ammonium Phosphate Potash Sulphate (APPS). The facility includes a double-insulated ammonium storage tank with a capacity of 12,500 tons.