Ammonia leaks in a food company in Harbin resulted in 26 workers poisoning

At 10:00 am on March 15, Harbin Gaojin Food Co., Ltd., No. 1, Harbin Gaojin Food Co., Ltd., Hulan District, Harbin City, ammonia gas leakage occurred in the ammonia pipeline, resulting in 26 workers ammonia poisoning, and now all have been sent to Hulan Chinese Hospital for Inpatient Observation and Treatment. At present, the employees are in stable condition and the specific cause of the accident is under investigation.

At 17 o'clock on the same day, the reporter went to Harbin Gaojin Food Co., Ltd., located in Yutian Village, Limin Street, Hulan District, and saw three fire engines parked in front of the company's compound. Several firefighters were replacing yellow chemical protective clothing. Ready to enter the building.

Fire officers and soldiers told reporters that there was an ammonia leak in the building. They and related experts were blocking the leaking pipeline. There was a certain danger on the site. It is recommended that reporters not use electronic equipment and try to stay away from the factory.

Three Gaojin Foods Co., Ltd. staff guarded the company’s gates and prohibited the entry of unrelated personnel. Regarding what happened in the building, the staff members said that they have just arrived and it is not clear.

It is understood that Harbin Gaojin Food Co., Ltd. is a wholly-owned subsidiary invested and established by Sichuan Gaojin Food Co., Ltd. The company has a live pig slaughtering, cutting, and cooling plant. The project covers an area of ​​70,000 square meters, and pigs slaughtered and processed every year. 1.5 million heads.

In Hulan District Hospital, two Harbin Gaojin Food Co., Ltd. employees are in the two clinics of the emergency department. Workers generally feel confused, nauseous and fatigued. The reporter saw that in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber, five female workers were inhaling oxygen. The doctor told reporters that from 11:30 onwards, every two hours, patients had to enter the hyperbaric oxygen chamber in batches. At present, there are 8 people who need to enter the hyperbaric oxygen chamber for treatment.

Employee Ms. Wang told reporters that they had started dividing pork at the workshop on the first floor at 8 o'clock. More than 70 people worked together. About 10 o'clock in the morning, one after another, somebody was experiencing discomfort. She also felt dizzy and disgusted. Later, an employee fainted. The company’s leader let them rush out of the workshop. The company then dispatched them to the Hulan District Chinese Medicine Hospital.

“Last year, the company had a small-scale ammonia leak, but it did not cause any casualties. The day before yesterday we also smelled of odors. Someone had previously worked at the slaughterhouse and said it was the smell of ammonia. Then someone told the company. Reflected, but I don't know if the company has been checked or repaired," said Ms. Wang. Regarding this argument, the relevant authorities have not confirmed it.

The reporter learned from the hospital that a total of 26 people were hospitalized for observation and treatment, and all the staff were in stable condition. After the incident, the Municipal Safety Supervision Bureau and relevant departments of the Hulan District Government reached the scene at the first time to participate in rescue and accident investigation. The specific cause of the accident is under investigation.

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Doctor reminds

Liu Xiaowen, director of the Department of Occupational Diseases of the Second Hospital, said that ammonia gas is colorless and has a strong irritating odor and is easily soluble in water. The initial reaction of ammonia poisoning is tearing, coughing, coughing, dizziness, and headache. Severe inflammation of the respiratory tract, pulmonary edema, and nervous system damage occur. Once you smell ammonia, be sure to stay away from it as soon as possible and take off clothing that is stained with ammonia, and inhale oxygen in time to keep the airway open.

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