Authorities to decide on shifting Fujia PX plant following fears of toxic leakage

16-Aug-11

Authorities of the Dalian city, east China, are to arrive at a final decision to shift the Fujia paraxylene (PX) plant, following fears of toxic leakage after last week's breach of an embankment. Tropical storm Muifa resulted in huge sea waves that hit the coast. An embankment in the Jinshan Industrial Zone in Dalian was broken, raising fears of sea waves striking the Fujia plant situated just 50 meters behind the embankment. The two ruptures, each of which was at least 20-30 metres in length, have been temporarily blocked, but still it is being feared that heavy tides may sweep away the slackly piled stones and once again break the embankment. People residing in surrounding areas have been evacuated, and the toxic chemicals lying in the tanks close to the dike have also been shifted by plant employees.