What to do with xylene leaks

“The tanker has turned sideways and the paraxylene in the car has leaked. You are coming...”

At 10 o'clock late in the day before yesterday, at the intersection of Zhanhan Street and Ci’an Highway, Zonghan Street in Cixi City, a tanker turned sideways. The road surface exudes a pungent odor. A colorless liquid began to diffuse at the back of the car.

Master Hu from Shaoxing is calling the police. “The leaked is paraxylene. The 32 tons on the car have already leaked half of it!”

This is the largest chemical spill accident in Cixi this year. Paraxylene is a colorless, transparent liquid with an aromatic odor. It is miscible with organic solvents such as ethanol, ether and acetone. Combustible, low-toxic compounds, slightly more toxic than ethanol, vapors and air can form explosive mixtures.

First aid method for xylene accident

Inhalation: Move personnel to fresh air. If breathing is debilitating, use an oxygen rescuer to perform artificial respiration and immediately seek medical attention.

Skin contact: Wash the affected area with soap or mild detergent and rinse with plenty of water for 20 minutes until no chemicals remain. If necessary, go to hospital for treatment.

Eye contact: Immediately flush eyes with water for fifteen minutes or more. If necessary, go to an ophthalmologist for treatment.

Ingestion: A large amount of drinking can cause coma. Do not induce vomiting when a coma occurs, so as not to block the breathing. When vomiting occurs, keep the head lower than the buttocks. Turn your head to one side and immediately seek medical attention, gastric lavage or use of activated carbon slurry.

Protection of emergency personnel:

1. Wear protective clothing (including solvent-resistant gloves) to avoid contact with contaminants.

2. Wear chemical goggles.

Tips for physicians: Consider gastric lavage and activated carbon slurry for ingestors.