Written By: Nirmalya Dutta | Published : July 19, 2014 10:28 PM IST
A massive evacuation process has begun after a gas leak at the Bombay High oil right off the coast of Mumbai, reports NDTV. Media reports suggest that the Coast Guard and Indian Navy have diverted ships to provide help with the evacuation. The oil rig is situated 162 km from the coast of Mumbai and is operated by ONGC. PTI reported that ONGC has shut down drilling operations and evacuated all non-essential staff. There has been no loss of life or property.
Why natural gas is dangerous for your health
While natural gas isn't dangerous when sealed up, it can be hazardous when it leaks. One of the primary reasons is that it's inflammable which means that if there's a spark, it could cause a fire or explosion. Normally, the gas is odourless but most companies add a chemical called mercaptan which makes it smell like rotten eggs so people can detect even the smallest of leaks. One of the reasons natural gas or methane is dangerous is because it reacts with oxygen to form carbon monoxide or CO which is odourless and completely invisible. CO is dangerous because when we breathe it in; it enters our bloodstream and prevents the transport of oxygen to our brain.
Some of the common symptoms of CO poisoning include headaches, vomiting, upset stomach, tiredness, fuzzy vision and dizziness. It's easy to tell the difference between CO poisoning and the flu (many of which are common to the flu), but there's usually no fever in CO poisoning.
Methane itself is not particularly toxic though it's highly inflammable and reacts violently with oxidisers, halogen and compounds containing halogens. It's also an asphxiant (causes asphyxiation or choking due to lack of oxygen) and may displace oxygen in closed spaces. The concentration of methane that causes asphyxiation is 5-15% concentration in a flammable or explosive mixture.
Picture source: Wikipedia.com
