Deadly fumes: On the ammonia gas leak tragedy in Tamil Nadu
The article highlights the critical gaps in the enforcement of safety norms across industrial units in India, in the wake of the ammonia gas leak tragedy in Tamil Nadu. It emphasizes the need for stricter regulatory oversight, regular third-party safety audits, and robust community-level disaster preparedness. The incident underscores the delicate balance required between industrial growth and public safety.
Read source at The Hindu — Editorial →Mains Practice Question
Frequent industrial disasters in India highlight the persistent gaps in regulatory enforcement and disaster risk governance. Analyze the major challenges in enforcing industrial safety norms and suggest policy measures to ensure a safer industrial environment.
250 words
Practice this in the exam hall →Prelims Practice MCQ
With reference to Ammonia (NH3), consider the following statements: 1. It is a colorless gas with a highly pungent, suffocating odor. 2. It is significantly denser than air, causing it to settle rapidly at ground level in case of leaks. 3. The vast majority of commercially produced ammonia is utilized in the fertilizer industry. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Ammonia is a colorless gas with a pungent, suffocating odor (Statement 1 is correct). It is lighter than air, meaning it rises and diffuses in open areas, although in damp conditions, it can react with moisture in the air to form vapors that behave as heavier-than-air gases (Statement 2 is incorrect as it is lighter than air under standard conditions, with a vapor density of about 0.6). Approximately 80% of the ammonia produced globally is used in agriculture as fertilizer (Statement 3 is correct).
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