Ludhiana gas leak leads to 11 deaths: What are neurotoxins and how do they affect humans?

Source: The post is based on the article “Ludhiana gas leak leads to 11 deaths: What are neurotoxins and how do they affect humans?” published in Indian Express on 2nd May 2023

What is the News?

Around 11 people have died due to a gas leak in Punjab.

According to the air quality sensors used by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) team, high levels of Hydrogen Sulphide gas, a kind of neurotoxin, have been detected and it is being ascertained how this gas might have led to the incident. 

What are Neurotoxins?

Neurotoxins are poisonous substances which can directly affect the nervous system.

Neurotoxicity occurs when exposure to natural or man-made toxic substances alters the normal activity of the nervous system. 

These substances can eventually disrupt or even kill neurons or nerve cells, which are important for transmitting and processing signals in the brain and other parts of the nervous system.

What are neurotoxic gases?

Methane, hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are common neurotoxic gases.

While methane and carbon monoxide are odourless gases, hydrogen sulphide has a pungent odour and in higher concentration it can be fatal for humans.

To remove gases such as hydrogen sulphide from wastewater, chemical oxidation is done where oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide are added to the wastewater.