Manaus Chemical Leak: Firefighters Continue Cooling Tanks After 41 Hours

For over 41 hours, firefighters in Manaus, Brazil, have been working to cool tanks following a toxic styrene gas leak at an Innova factory in the city's South Zone Industrial District. As of Friday morning, November 17th, the state health secretariat reported that 204 patients had been treated for symptoms including shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, and fainting. While the release of chemical vapors has decreased, approximately 300 meters around the factory remains isolated as authorities assess the situation. The leak began on Wednesday, November 15th, at 5:36 PM, reportedly due to an abnormal temperature increase in a storage tank containing styrene monomer, a toxic chemical used in plastics and rubber production. Firefighters are using laser equipment to monitor tank temperatures and prevent potential explosions or fires, with safety valves having been activated to release pressure. The state government deployed 35 military personnel to the initial containment efforts. Of the 204 patients treated, 192 have been discharged, while 11 remain hospitalized. A 67-year-old man with a chronic respiratory condition sought treatment and passed away, though authorities stated no direct link to the leak was confirmed. In response, 12 state and 10 municipal schools near the factory have suspended classes, with operations to resume only after safety is confirmed. The company Innova was fined R$ 4.5 million by the Manaus City Hall for exceeding safe atmospheric pollution levels and has 20 days to submit technical reports. Innova stated the situation was controlled according to emergency protocols and that there was no fire or liquid product release outside containment, nor any reported victims.