Environmental Impact of AZF Fertilizer Plant Explosion Report

The report examines the AZF fertilizer plant explosion in Toulouse, France, which occurred on September 21, 2001. The explosion, equivalent to 20-40 tonnes of TNT, resulted in 29 deaths, 2500 injuries, and extensive property damage. The blast's impact extended several kilometers, causing physical trauma, hearing problems, and widespread economic consequences. The government responded by implementing stricter regulations, establishing the PPI, and mobilizing a chemical hazard evaluation cell. The report highlights the long-term psychological and physical effects on those affected, emphasizing the importance of strengthened occupational health and safety measures to prevent similar disasters. The reference provided is a journal article by Cho (2012) discussing legitimation strategies used in response to the disaster.

Safety

Table of Contents
AZF fertilizer plant's explosion.......................................................................................................3
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................3

AZF fertilizer plant's explosion
AZF, a chemical factory in Toulouse, France that got exploded in 21st September
2001. In morning of 21st sept, a severe explosion occurred that was felt several kilometres away,
and the blast was equivalent to 20-40 tonnes of TNT, measuring 3.4 on Richter scale. The
consequences of the erosion had both on human beings and environment. The incident had
resulted in 29 deaths and left 2500 wounded. The explosion was so loud that its efficiency was
resulted in damaging to numerous homes. The explosions had affected the people within the
range of 500 m away and glasses of windows were broke at a distance of few kilometres.
Thousands of people were being hospitalised because of the numerous physical trauma that has
affected because of the explosion on environment (Cho, 2012). Some people suffered from
hearing problem. Thee explosion had caused loss of all the property, the chemical companies
located outside the AZF had also affected, many people left unemployed after the incidence.
After the accident, the government has tightened its regulations, started different policies
for the safety at the sites. The PPI( special accident response plan) were put into action. The civil
protection mobilised a chemical hazard evaluation cell was established. An enquiry by the
parliamentary commission was opened to the industrial safety installation and research centre.
Actions had been taken regarding the safety from such explosion from chemical hazard and
employees working in plant. The government announced its intention to improve and to reform
the regulation around at risk industrial sites. The long-term consequences of the disaster are
psychological side-effects on people, lifelong injuries to people. The government, then
implemented rules and regulations to avoid any occurrence of such risky industrial sites. In
relation to this, occupational health and safety at workplace needs to be strengthened and
implemented to reduce such sites else it has bad consequences on people.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Cho, C. H., 2012. Legitimation strategies used in response to environmental disaster: A French
case study of Total SA's Erika and AZF incidents. European Accounting Review .18(1).
pp.33-62.