April 18, 2007 by Walter Schneider.

From the Associated Press
April 18, 2007

BEIJING — About 140 schoolchildren and teachers were hospitalized after sulfur dioxide was discharged by a chemical plant in southern China, state media reported Tuesday.

The plant, which produces chemical fertilizers in the county of Xifeng in Guizhou province, emitted a “huge amount” of sulfur dioxide, a colorless gas, into the atmosphere Monday, the New China News Agency said, citing a local official.

Five teachers and 135 students from two primary schools and a middle school reported respiratory problems as a result of the fumes and were taken to a hospital, the news agency quoted the county’s executive deputy head, Huang Yonghui, as saying. (Source)

Posted in Pollution: Health Issues, Emission Incidents & Issues, Sulphur-Dioxide | Print | No Comments »

April 18, 2007 by Walter Schneider.

CNW Group

OTTAWA, April 18 /CNW/ - Canada’s largest shipper of sulphur is very pleased that the Federal Government, with the support of the Liberal opposition, has taken quick and decisive action to end to the ongoing rail service disruptions at CN by passing back-to-work legislation.

“I’m very pleased that the federal government and Parliament have taken quick action to protect jobs, consumers, the environment and the economy in Western Canada,” said Lorne Friberg, President and CEO of Sultran. “The service disruptions at CN were already hurting sulphur producers still recovering from the February strike.”

The back-to-work legislation helps ensure that natural gas plants in Western Canada will not have to cut back or stop production due to a lack of sulphur storage capacity. The legislation will also permit the Canadian sulphur industry to continue to ship sulphur uninterrupted to its overseas customers….(Full Story — off-site)

Posted in Emission Incidents & Issues, Sulphur Logistics | Print | No Comments »