An investigation of a natural gas pipeline explosion in Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province, October 2020

Abstract

The Situation Awareness Team (SAT), Department of Disease Control (DDC), was notified by the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 6 Chonburi on October 22, 2020, at 1:00 p.m. that a natural gas pipeline explosion occurred in Preng Sub-district, Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan Province. Three people were reported dead and several others injured. They were rushed to nearby hospitals. The Division of Occupational and Environmental Diseases together with the Office of Disease Prevention and Control Region 6 Chonburi Province, Samut Prakan Provincial Health Office, and occupational physicians from Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital jointly conducted an investigation at the scene of explosion on October 23, 2020. The objectives were to determine the causes of the blast, diagnose the incident and describe the explosion of natural gas pipelines. The health impact on the victims was also assessed. The air quality was monitored in the area surrounding the scene of explosion, as well as epidemiological studies being conducted to determine potential health impacts. The purpose of this study was to explore the related factors of patients in the hospital. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. From the investigation, a total of 65 victims were identified. Of these, 25 were hospitalized and stayed overnight (38.5%), 37 received medical treatment but were not admitted (56.9%), and three persons died; two died at the hospital (3.1%) and one died at the scene (1.5%). Based on health screening, the most common symptom was burning eyes (40.0%). The public perception survey showed that people were afraid of the incident (100.0%) and they did not know how to respond when an accident occurs (78.0%). The air quality measurement at the area includes five parameters, namely benzene, ethylene, toluene, xylene and styrene. The results showed that the concentration levels of all parameters did not exceed the exposure limit at level 1 according to the requirements of the Pollution Control Department. For preventive measures, emergency drills should be carried out and the guidelines should be developed and implemented among responsible staff and local residents for the purposes of surveillance and prevention of the explosion of natural gas pipeline. Basic safety information should be also provided for people in the local areas. The information on important facilities, buildings, construction sites, or danger areas such as gas pipelines should be made publicly available. Lessons learned from this incident should be used to inform the development and implementation of preventive measures.