Aetiology

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), who monitor COMAH reportable chemical incidents in England and Wales, reported the following incidents between 1999 and 2004 [2].

• Five major incidents involving hydrocarbons
  (e.g. propane)
• Two incidents involving petrol and oil
• Two incidents involving cyanide compounds

In 2005-2006, four major accidents in the UK were reported to the EC

Across Europe, the commonest incidents reported to MAHB involved ammonia (72 incidents) or hydrogen chloride (63 incidents) [2]