Toxic cloud in Gastalla, the alarm: “It is not an isolated case”

The Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (Sima) states this: "With prolonged exposure, serious complications"

“The accident which occurred in Guastalla di Reggio Emilia is only the latest in a series of serious episodes which are occurring with increasing frequency in Italian swimming pools, and which put health at risk of citizens”. This was stated by the Italian Society of Environmental Medicine (Sima) speaking on the cloud that developed this morning during an operation to transfer hydrochloric acid from a tanker, which caused 104 intoxicated people.

DISINFECTION CHEMICALS ARE CLASSIFIED AS HAZARDOUS

“The chemical products normally used for water disinfection (for example sodium and calcium hypochlorite, sulfuric acid, trichloroisocyanuric acid) are classified as dangerous because they are largely corrosive” , explains Sima president Alessandro Miani. “If hypochlorites come into contact with acidity regulators (sulfuric, hydrochloric acid, etc.) they can release gaseous chlorine, a toxic gas upon inhalation responsible for even very serious acute poisoning”, adds the doctor. The doctor then continues: “Few people know that very common substances such as chlorine and ammonia cause serious burns to the nose, throat, eyes, trachea and large airways in humans even just a few minutes after exposure , and often cause coughing and emission of blood with sputum, as well as retching and breathing difficulties.”

“IN CASE OF PROLONGED EXPOSURE THERE-ARRIVES SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS”

While “in the case of prolonged and massive exposure, more serious complications can occur, such as damage to the airways and lung infections”. The subjects most at risk in Italy, Sima finally underlines, “are however the workers involved in the production of insecticides, disinfectants, metallurgy, and those who work in the field of water purification”