A toxic liquid trichloroacetone leakage accident occurred in Lanzhou, and the driver was injured and hospitalized

On the afternoon of November 15th, a driver in Lanzhou, Gansu Province, accidentally leaked nearly 200 kilograms of trichloroacetone liquid while carrying a plastic bucket containing toxic and hazardous chemicals. The reporter learned from the accident scene that after emergency handling, the leaked trichloroacetone did not enter the groundwater, and the driver was hospitalized due to eye burns.

Image source: Network

At around 14:00 on the 15th, a toxic and hazardous chemical, trichloroacetone, leaked from Hengda Logistics Park near Donggang Overpass in Chengguan District, Lanzhou City. At around 19:00, the reporter saw at the scene that the courtyard of Hengda Logistics Park had a cement floor, and the accident vehicle was a blue truck, with a hazardous waste transfer vehicle from Gansu Province Hazardous Waste and Medical Waste Disposal Center parked next to it.

A person in charge of the Environmental Emergency and Accident Investigation Center of Lanzhou Environmental Protection Bureau, who participated in the on-site disposal work, introduced that after receiving the report, they immediately rushed to the scene and took measures such as setting up warning lines, evacuating residents, monitoring the surrounding air, and blocking drainage outlets. After emergency handling, the leaked liquid of trichloroacetone did not enter groundwater, and only trace amounts of volatile trichloroacetone were detected in the downwind air during peak periods, while no trace was detected in residential areas and other areas.

The specific cause of this accident is under further investigation. According to preliminary understanding, the leak occurred during the driver's handling of a plastic bucket containing approximately 250 kilograms of trichloroacetone, resulting in approximately three-quarters (nearly 200 kilograms) of the trichloroacetone liquid leaking. The driver was hospitalized due to eye burns.

As of 21:00, the sand covered with trichloroacetone was still being shipped.

It is understood that trichloroacetone is a liquid with a strong pungent odor, which is highly toxic when inhaled. It can also be toxic to aquatic organisms in water and may have long-term adverse effects on the aquatic environment.