Toxic gas kills 11 in Ludhiana
- Category
Science & Technology
- Published
5th May, 2023
-
Context
At least 11 people have died following a gas leak in Ludhiana, Punjab. The death is due to inhalation of neurotoxic gas.
What is Neurotoxicity?
- Neuro-toxicity occurs when the exposure to natural or manmade toxic substances (neurotoxicants) alters the normal activity of the nervous system that includes brain, spinal cord, and nerves.
- Nerve cells, or neurons, communicate with each other through a series of electrical and chemical signals and are at the greatest risk of damage from neurotoxins because of their high metabolic rate.
- Neuro-toxic substances can damage nerve cell function by modifying the structure of the cell membrane, which controls the passage of ions into and out of the neuron.
- As a result, the electrical activity of the neuron may change.
- Furthermore, neurotoxins can prevent neurotransmitters from being released or taken up by other neurons, thereby preventing their production or release.
- Neurotransmitters are responsible for signal transmission between neurons.
Industrial gas leaks in India
Industrial gas leaks are not rare in India.
- Three years ago a gas leak at a chemical plant killed at least 12 people in the city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
- In 1984 a chemical leak in a pesticide plant at the central city of Bhopal killed thousands of people, in what is acknowledged to be the world's worst industrial disaster.
|