Pollution
Humain
Environnement
Economique

In a chemical plant, an explosion occurred when a glyoxylic acid production line using the ozonisation technique was re-started. The facility was destroyed a year ago by an explosion followed by a fire (ARIA 25337). The internal emergency plan and the external emergency plan were triggered and fire-fighters were brought in from outside. Since the site was implanted in an industrial zone, all neighbouring establishments in the zone were informed on the accident.

The unit, which has been rebuit and reinforced (pressure proof) after the 2003 accident, is severely damaged. Nevertheless, the effects have been contained and no casualties were reported. Production was suspended until further notice. Despite several expertises that cost 400,000 euros, the causes of the accident were not known. The operator modified the process (use of air instead of ozone).

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