Environmental Emergency and Typical Cases

Author: Fu Taosheng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
Features: China is one of the countries facing the most severe environmental pollution. Especially with the industrialization entering the heavy chemical stage and the accelerated advancement of urbanization and rural construction, the pressure on the environment has been continuously increasing, leading to the emergence of new environmental protection issues and a growing probability of sudden environmental incidents. In recent years, the continuous occurrence of environmental pollution accidents in China, particularly sudden ones, is a clear proof. On November 13, 2005, an explosion occurred at the benzene plant of Jilin Petrochemical Company under China National Petroleum Corporation, triggering a major water pollution incident that severely impacted the lives and economic development of people along the Songhua River, especially in major cities. Without a doubt, the major water pollution incident in the Songhua River once again sounded the alarm for China's environmental security.
A comprehensive analysis of the reasons for the continuous occurrence of environmental pollution accidents, especially sudden ones, in recent years reveals three main aspects: First, insufficient estimation and preparation for environmental pollution, particularly sudden environmental pollution accidents, with neither the national nor local governments establishing sound emergency mechanisms and plans for sudden environmental incidents. Due to the lack of systematic prevention and emergency measures, chaos and confusion often ensue when accidents occur. Second, the absence of strict regulations and relaxed management in enterprises, where phenomena like leaks and spills are widespread, which are often key causes of leakage accidents. A few local governments and enterprises, focused solely on short-term interests, neglect the updating and upgrading of production equipment and technology, leaving many facilities in a state of long-term obsolescence and malfunction, creating fertile ground for major environmental pollution accidents. Third, the severely irrational layout of industrial enterprises, with many factories posing serious potential pollution hazards built in environmentally sensitive areas, such as toxic and hazardous chemical plants located in densely populated urban areas or near important drinking water sources like rivers, etc. The severe pollution of the Songhua River caused by the benzene plant of Jilin Petrochemical Company fully illustrates this point. Similar irrational layouts, like that of Jilin Petrochemical Company, are also prevalent in other regions.
This book provides a relatively comprehensive introduction to the application and handling methods of sudden environmental incidents in various aspects, including water pollution, hazardous chemical pollution, solid waste pollution, atmospheric pollution, radioactive pollution, and marine pollution, along with relevant cases. It also collects related laws, regulations, rules, and policies. Many of the content in the book originates from the research findings of experts and scholars who have long been engaged in theoretical research on environmental protection, environmental protection work, and environmental engineering teaching. It closely adheres to the main theme of "environmental emergency response," demonstrating strong practicality. It serves as an important reference for environmental protection, safety supervision, public security fire departments, and their staff in emergency response to environmental accidents.