Estimation of Toxic Gases and Control: Case Study Pakistan Steel Mill, Karachi

Abstract

The study carried out for the period of June to September 2011 at 5 most hazardous departments of Pakistan Steel Mill Karachi, i.e. Steel Making Plant, Iron Making Plant, Coke Oven by Production Plant, Sintering plant and hot Strip Mill, focused the survey on Toxic gases i.e. Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulphide, Sulfur Dioxide, Chlorine Gas, and Hydrogen Cyanide, by use of particular meters for analysis and control. Carbon monoxide (CO) was found 38-39 ppm in July & August against the standard value of 35 ppm, resulting 11.4% above the acceptable limit. Whereas, chlorine (Cl2) was found 0.6 to 0.8 ppm crossing acceptable limit i.e. 0.5 ppm; for whole survey period at Coke Oven By-Production (COBP) Plant, only resulting 60% beyond the acceptable limit as prescribed by NEQs. During survey about 64% employees were found not satisfied regarding safety measures provided there, resulting most of employees affected by various diseases like, high blood pressure, lung disease, tuber closes, skin disease, asthma, allergy, diabetes, eyes diabetes, depression, hypertension. Environmental Management System (EMS) may be introduced in Pakistan Steel Mill to control toxic emissions in order to overcome negative impacts on employees’ health and to improve the working efficiency as well as production.