Human error in environmental incident

An environmental incident occurred at a nitrate factory in Pancevo, near Belgrade, today. Environment Minister Sasa Dragin said in reaction to the incident that criminal charges will be pressed against those responsible. Human error in environmental incident At about 09:10 CET, an orange plume of smoke appeared above the Azotara plant in Pancevo. Ten minutes later, police and firemen arrived on the scene and proceeded to turn on sirens to warn local residents of an increased level of air pollution. Four workers were left with non-life threatening injuries, reports said. According to the plant's management, the accident happened when a worker had mistakenly begun filling a tank truck with nitrate acid instead of with ammonia water, Beta news agency said. A chemical reaction then followed between the remains of the ammonia in the tank and the nitrate acid, which released a large amount of nitrate oxides into the atmosphere. Dragin, who visited the factory today, said that the company had been shut down for six months on a prior occasion after ammonia levels in the air were found to be 18 times higher than permitted. “We allowed them to work when they agreed to implement the action plan created at the Engineering Faculty. We will see to it that those responsible are arrested and charged,” the minister pledged. Doctors from the Health and Safety Bureau have warned citizens via the media not to venture outside unless absolutely necessary, and to keep their windows closed. Milica Tanaskovic from the Bureau in Pancevo said that its mobile laboratory was on the field, and that there was no reason for citizens to fear for their health. Sirens signaling the end of the pollution alert sounded at about 10:30 CET. The Azotara plant (Tanjug)

Human error in environmental incident

At about 09:10 CET, an orange plume of smoke appeared above the Azotara plant in Pančevo. Ten minutes later, police and firemen arrived on the scene and proceeded to turn on sirens to warn local residents of an increased level of air pollution.

Four workers were left with non-life threatening injuries, reports said.

According to the plant's management, the accident happened when a worker had mistakenly begun filling a tank truck with nitrate acid instead of with ammonia water, Beta news agency said.

A chemical reaction then followed between the remains of the ammonia in the tank and the nitrate acid, which released a large amount of nitrate oxides into the atmosphere.

Dragin, who visited the factory today, said that the company had been shut down for six months on a prior occasion after ammonia levels in the air were found to be 18 times higher than permitted.

“We allowed them to work when they agreed to implement the action plan created at the Engineering Faculty. We will see to it that those responsible are arrested and charged,” the minister pledged.

Doctors from the Health and Safety Bureau have warned citizens via the media not to venture outside unless absolutely necessary, and to keep their windows closed.

Milica Tanasković from the Bureau in Pančevo said that its mobile laboratory was on the field, and that there was no reason for citizens to fear for their health.

Sirens signaling the end of the pollution alert sounded at about 10:30 CET.