Epidemiological Investigation of a Corrosive Chemical Leak from a Container Depot Affecting Students at Tughlakabad, Southeast District of Delhi, India

Abstract

Introduction: A chemical leak of 2-chloro-5-chloromethylpyridine occurred at Tughlakabad Inland Container Depot (ICD) in the Southeast District of Delhi on May 6, 2017, affecting over 600 individuals. The National Centre for Disease Control of India investigated the incident. Methods: The study defined “a case” as “eye irritation or breathlessness in a resident or student of the Tughlakabad ward on May 6”. The investigation team reviewed hospital records and surveyed schools and neighborhoods adjacent to the ICD. Key informants were interviewed, followed by a 1:2 unmatched case-control study. Results: There were 619 cases (92% female) with no deaths; the median age was 13 years. The most common symptom experienced was eye irritation (99%). Univariate analysis of the case-control study showed that walking through the ICD exit track was the single main factor associated with the illness (OR = 5.4 [95% CI = 2.1–14.1], P < 0.001). The spill was reportedly covered with sand, but the removal of the mixture from the site was not carried out. No one, whether directly affected or not, had received any communication about the spill in the area. Conclusions: This chemical spill caused illnesses among individuals who had trespassed on the ICD exit road. Inappropriate chemical spill management and poor risk communication likely exacerbated the illnesses. The study recommends proper implementation of chemical neutralization and risk communication protocols.