Our World

Plan Sends Plum of Gasses Over North Carolina

Early this morning, a fireball rose over the town of Apex, located near Raleigh, North Carolina. The flames came from a hazardous materials plant. Luckily, initial air quality tests show nothing alarming. Also, rain has been falling for most of the day, which should help scrub impurities from the air. Officials say that this is the best thing that could happen, considering that the plume of gasses, which were projected to fall over Raleigh, will now be mostly removed from the air. However, the flames still remain near the site of the accident.

Luckily no injuries have been reported; however, 10 police officers were ordered to go under a decontamination process, after they complained of nausea and difficulty breathing. Half of the officers have been released from the hospital, while others still are undergoing treatment. The local hospital claims that over 100 residents, mostly from a nursing home, have been hospitalized. And other residents have been treated after feelings of nausea and vomiting.

Shelters have been set up at elementary schools and shut down major sections of thoroughfares. Over 200 residents are being held in that elementary school and about 350 people are staying at the local high school. And of nearly 16,000 residents that were told to leave the city, around 3,850 residents went to live with friends or family. And all of the local hotels are booked.

The plume of gas, which consists pesticides, oxides and chlorine gasses were sent shooting into the air at about 10 P.M. However, the source of the fire hasn’t been found. The flames also cause nearby petroleum tanks of another company to explode. The plant had also been fined for safety violations, which amounted to nearly $32,000 in fines n March 31.

The only thing that is keeping everyone optimistic is the rain, and hopefully the air will be cleaned of impurities. This is another example of how human activity is polluting and destroying the world around us. It is plants like this that is increasing greenhouse gases, and could lead to enormous consequences.

Chemical Plume Over North Carolina City

posted by Anonymous @ 10/06/2006 11:44:00 AM