Manaus Gas Leak: 300-Meter Zone Around Innova Factory Remains Isolated

An area spanning approximately 300 meters around the Innova company in Manaus, Brazil, remains isolated on Saturday, March 18th, marking the third day since a toxic gas leak. The incident, involving styrene monomer, began on Wednesday, March 15th, at 5:36 PM when a storage tank experienced an abnormal temperature rise. Styrene monomer, a toxic chemical used in plastic and rubber manufacturing, was released into the environment. The Amazonas State Government has maintained the isolation as a safety measure, with no official timeline for its lifting. Firefighters have been actively working to contain the leak for over 60 hours, employing laser equipment to monitor the tank's internal temperature and conducting external cooling operations. Containment efforts have shown progress, with vapor release diminishing and smoke from the reservoir becoming nearly invisible, though a strong chemical odor persists. Approximately 35 military personnel were involved in the initial response, with firefighters remaining on-site for ongoing safety assurance. The State Health Secretariat of Amazonas (SES-AM) reported that 213 patients sought medical attention for symptoms related to gas inhalation. One patient, initially in intensive care, has been moved to a regular ward. A 67-year-old man who reported feeling unwell due to the leak passed away; however, he had a pre-existing chronic respiratory condition, and a direct link to the incident was not confirmed. In addition to public health services, 147 individuals were treated at a private hospital and 57 at municipal health units. Technical inspections revealed a fissure in the base containment of the affected tank, attributed to the extreme temperature elevation. Engineers and firefighters are closely monitoring this structural damage. Due to the incident's severity, Innova's facilities have been partially shut down by environmental and oversight agencies to ensure safety. Full operational resumption is contingent on the complete elimination of risks and stability assessments. The company has been fined over R$20 million by the Manaus Prefecture for soil, water, and air pollution, with funds allocated to the Municipal Fund for Development and Environment. The Amazonas Environmental Protection Institute (Ipaam) is overseeing the company's emergency action plan, and air quality measurements in nearby areas indicate concentrations below levels of concern.