Deadly mixture

Twelve persons died in three chemical explosions inDelhi recently. Methyl ethyl ketone peroxide (MEKP),the chemical compound believed to be responsible forthe explosion, is used as a catalyst for fibreglassprocessing in helmet-manufacturing units. Stabilisingagents like di-methyl phthalate need to be added tothis volatile compound in a specific proportion. Butsince MEKP is an expensive product, the manufacturers increase the amount of stabilisers in thesolution to bring down the cost of the final product.This leads to the formation of a compound which doesnot have the stability required for this kind of explosivesubstance.

In the present instance, the precautions necessary forsafe storage of MEKP also do not seem to have beenobserved by the dealers. The chemical should be stored ina cool place in airtight containers as even a brief contactwith atmospheric gases or the presence of impurities canlead to an explosion.

According to reports, the MEKP dealers did not havethe permission from the controller of explosives, Nagpur,which is necessary for storing such volatile chemicals. Theenforcement of this regulation is the responsibility of themunicipal corporation.

Though the police have the power to book thepeople who are storing the chemical without licence,they are not scientifically equipped to identify hazardouschemicals. Moreover, police officials say that they couldact independently of the civic agencies and book dealersin the event of storage of a chemical or a hazardoussubstance causing a public nuisance only if there is acomplaint.