Date: May 19, 2020
Location: Seosan, Chungcheongnam (South Korea)
Address: 679 Daejuk-ri, Daesan-eup
Type: Dust Explosion
Fuel: Aluminum Alkyl
Industry: Chemical Processing
Equipment: Unknown
Company: LG Chem Ltd.
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: One Killed, Two Injured
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company’s website, LG Chem Ltd. is a chemical company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. It was founded in 1947, has 62 locations across the globe, and specializes in the production of petrochemicals and ABS, a plastic used in the manufacturing of automobiles, home appliances, and IT devices.
Incident Description:
On May 19, 2020, Powder & Bulk Solids reported an explosion and fire at a chemical research lab in Seosan, South Korea.
One person was killed and two others injured when the explosion occurred in the site’s packing room at about 2:20 p.m. According to one source, ignition took place when air contacted aluminum alkyl, a pyrophoric fine powder material, while another source claimed that the powder exploded due to high pressure as it was being transported.
Crews managed to put out the flames by 3:30 p.m. The facility was shut down so the company could investigate the incident.
The deceased person was identified as a 39-year-old researcher. The other two workers suffered second-degree burns and were taken to an area hospital for treatment.
Sources:
Powder & Bulk Solids
Korea Herald
Yonhap
