China’s cabinet kicks off three-year review of handling of dangerous chemicals
China has announced a three-year nationwide inspection of the handling of dangerous chemicals following a series of deadly accidents that claimed hundreds of lives.
The government plan calls for a clear delineation of responsibilities among regulators and greater accountability to help ensure public safety.
The survey will evaluate the risks of dangerous chemicals during their production, storage, transport use and disposal and draw up a risk distribution map before March 2018, according to a plan released by the State Council on Tuesday.
Hazardous chemicals like ammonium nitrate, nitrocellulose and sodium cyanide will be on a special watch list, while broader information on other chemicals will be shared among regulators.
Factories and storage for dangerous chemicals located close to residential areas will be closed or relocated, the cabinet said.Preferential policies and funding would be provided where necessary.
The inspection plan was drawn up after a series of major chemical blasts killed hundreds of people in recent years.
A massive explosion in Binhai New Area District of Tianjin in August last year was one of the nation’s deadliest and most destructive industrial accidents.
The blast, at a chemical warehouse located close to high-rise residential blocks, killed 173 people and injured some 798 residents.
Twenty five local government officials and workers were accused of dereliction of duty, abuse of power and bribe taking, according to Tianjin’s No 2 Intermediate Court last month.
The chairman of Ruihai International Logistics, owner of the chemical warehouse, was found guilty of paying bribes to obtain storage permits and was handed a suspended death sentence.
