Leakage of chlorine gas from a plant in the Hassan district of Karnataka landed 25 people in hospital on Tuesday. The leak is believed to have happened at a water treatment facility in Belur — also called Bellur — in the district in the early hours of Tuesday, May 16.
Chlorine is a highly-used disinfectant to treat water for drinking purposes besides bathing, washing and other household activities. Chlorine can enter the human body not only via breathing but also through skin.
Accidental ingestion of chlorine in small quantities results in irritation of skin and eyes — a common complaint among swimmers. Exposure to copious amounts of chlorine over prolonged periods may even lead to death through "chlorine gas poisoning." Even otherwise, chlorine gas poisoning may lead to symptoms like erratic or troubled breathing.
People admitted to hospital on Tuesday after a leak in the water-treatment plant belonging to the Town Municipal Council (TMC) presented chlorine-induced symptoms.The chlorine gas spread to over 500 m radius.
Several of the affected have been rushed to the Hassan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS) in district headquarters Hassan for treatment. They were complaining of breathlessness, irritation in the eyes, nose and throat, and nausea.
TMC chief Officer BC Basavaraju told the Hindu: "We have a chlorine cylinder in the plant to do chlorination. May be due to a hole in the pipeline the gas leaked. We called in the Fire and Emergency Response team." He added: "We plugged the leakage by 5 am. Four of our staff members were suffering from breathlessness and other problems after inhaling the gas. They are being treated in HIMS."
