(MENAFN- Live Mint) A fluorine leak was reported in the cargo area of Lucknow airport on Saturday. According to the fire department, the leak occurred in Terminal 3 at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport.
Fire services, along with the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF ) and the State Disaster Response Force (SDR) teams rushed to the scene.
Also Read | Vinesh Phogat in tears on arrival at Delhi airport, receives historic welcome
The fire department said the leak is from a packaging of medicine that contained fluorine. "Efforts are underway to identify and manage the situation," they added.
Notably, a fluorine leak can have serious and potentially hazardous consequences due to the highly reactive and toxic nature of its gas.
Also Read | Delhi IGI Airport's new Terminal 1 is to resume operations today Here are the impacts and risks of a fluorine leak:
Respiratory Issues : Breathing in fluorine gas can lead to serious respiratory irritation, induce coughing, and make breathing difficult. Exposure to high levels may result in pulmonary edema, a critical condition characterized by fluid buildup in the lungs and can be fatal.
Chemical Burns : Fluorine is highly corrosive and can inflict severe chemical burns on the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. Exposure to fluorine can lead to intense burns and prolonged damage.
Also Read | Cabinet approves expansion of metro rail projects, airport infrastructure
Systemic Toxicity : Inhaling or coming into contact with high concentrations of fluorine can result in systemic toxicity. This condition can impact various organs and may lead to damage in the liver, kidneys , and nervous system.
Soil and Water Contamination : If fluorine gas escapes into the environment, it can react with water and other substances to form harmful compounds, such as hydrofluoric acid (HF). These can contaminate soil and water, harming plant life and aquatic ecosystems.
Also Read | 8 common toxic foods you might have in your kitchen
Damage to Vegetation : Fluorine can be toxic to plants, causing damage or killing vegetation in the area surrounding the leak. This can disrupt local ecosystems and biodiversity.
Fire and Explosion Hazards : Fluorine is highly reactive and can react violently with many substances, including organic materials and metals. This can create fire or explosion hazards, especially if the leak occurs in an industrial setting.
MENAFN17082024007365015876ID1108570394
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.