Looks like the Chinese are having a SHTF event.

[gulogulo1970]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5439711,00.html

Millions without water. Looks nasty, benzene is a top notch toxic chemical, severe cancer causing chemical to boot. It is not only limited to China but Russia as well. They better watch it or their industry that is making them rich may poison their country.

 

[Crosshair]

Isn't benzene flammable?

 

[Ukraine Train]

We use benzene at work. The techs routinely get tested for it in their blood and have to wear SCBA's when changing filters, it's pretty bad stuff.

 

[model 649]

Yup, Benzine is a known cause of leukemia. One of my co-workers found this out the hard way a few years ago. The Chinese have environmental rules on paper, I understand, just not much enforcement.
Josh

 

[Joejojoba111]

Yup Chinese gov't realized that they were headed for a wealthy future, which would require most of their wealth to reduce the toxicity Their glorious leaders just last month pissed business off royaly by declaring much higher environmental standards.

IIRC they even closed down a steel mill that was too out-of-date to be brought up to code. Not what I'd been conditioned to expect. Except for the arbitrary and callous handling of the situation, that was entirely following their protocol.

 

[txgho1911]

Are they working with a lot of foszgene. That one is a gas. One of thos 2 step poisons.

 

[mfree]

Phosgene. And it's not binary, it's poisonous to start with.

 

[kage genin]

Well the benzene flow has passed through the city of Harbin (where water supplies were cut off) and water service is restored. Not surprisingly, the state-run media are proclaiming "Victory!", crediting the Communist party for sucessfully keeping the residents supplied with water.

Wait while I set fire to your house. Then I'll pull you out and call it a victory.

 

[WT]

Chemical spill in China? No big deal.

That's why all the big American chemical companies are moving there.