Dalian authorities mull relocation of PX plant following toxic spill fears

11-Aug-11

Authorities in Dalian city will decide on relocation of a paraxylene project following fears of toxic spill sparked by a dike breach earlier this week, as per Crienglish.com. Tropical storm Muifa off the coast of Liaoning Province produced sea waves that broke a dike in the Jinshan Industrial Zone in Dalian and threatened to strike the Fujia chemical plant situated 50 meters behind the dike. The two breaches- about 20-30 meters long, have been temporarily blocked, but there was still fear that the strong waves might wash away the loosely piled rocks and breach the dike again. Trucks dumped rocks and concrete to reinforce the newly repaired parts. Residents in nearby areas were evacuated, and plant employees transported the toxic chemicals from the tanks near the dike. Meanwhile, plant officials will reassess the safety conditions for paraxylene production as a basis for deliberation on the project's possible relocation and as part of the government's resolve to root out environmental hazards in the city.