Detectors cut risks after Chinese earthquake
An
Ion Science product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Aug 5, 2008
Photoionisation detectors were used to monitor whether toxic gases were present in the atmosphere in the aftermath of the earthquake.
On 12th May 2008, one of the worst earthquakes in living memory, struck central China, which killed 65,080 people and injured many more.
In one school, about 900 students were trapped under the rubble of their school as it collapsed as a result of the earthquake.
Many other people were trapped in surrounding buildings - and there were many more casualties.
The 8.0 magnitude earthquake caused almost total destruction of an area of small cities and towns - with the Sichuan province being worst affected.
80% of buildings in Sichuan province's Beichuan county were damaged or destroyed.
The ongoing knock on effect of the earthquake is considerable - not least from the number of toxic chemical leaks that resulted as a consequence of buildings being destroyed.
Many industries were affected as a result of the earthquake.
In particular, the damage to petrochemical manufacturing plants and hazardous chemical storages in the region could prove to be very hazardous, with serious health implications.
Toxic fumes and gases could compound even further the dangers of the aftermath of the earthquake itself.
Ion Science's photoionisation detectors (PIDs) were chosen to help monitor whether toxic gases were present in the atmosphere, in the aftermath of the earthquake.
In particular FirstCheck+ was chosen, as it is one of the first multigas PIDs to combine VOC and toxic gas detection, with traditional multigas sensors for oxygen, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and explosive gases.
The FirstCheck+ gave the rescue workers full gas monitoring capability, enabling the user to make a full assessment of any potentially hazardous confined space.
The PhoCheck+ was chosen too, as it is an advanced humidity resistant PID for the detection of VOCs, which was an essential requirement for this particular application.
The superior sensor allowed the user to accurately detect even the smallest toxic gas leakage.
Ion Science products were selected for this application, due to their wide detection range and superior technical performance.
Ion Science is also one of the recognised suppliers to the Chinese Government - which was responsible for purchasing the detectors.
PIDs offer a real advantage for applications that involve environmental monitoring.
Although on this occasion, the PIDs were used for a very specific application, there are a number of other environmentally related applications, for PIDs that include: environmental monitoring, emergency detection, environmental evaluation, occupational health and safety, leak control, university and scientific research and monitoring of weather stations.
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