Shandong blast fuels calls for review of China's chemical safety rules
Green group says clear rules are needed on chemical storage, production and transport
Calls are mounting for an overhaul of the mainland's safety regulations on chemical plants after another deadly blast on the weekend.
An explosion in Zibo, Shandong province, at a plant owned by Shandong Runxing Chemical Technology killed one person and injured nine others late Saturday, less than two weeks after a similar disaster at a chemical warehouse in Tianjin killed 123 people.
The Zibo plant and the Tianjin warehouse were less than 1km from residential areas, raising suspicions about safety checks.
"The government needs to review the regulations covering the production and transport [of hazardous chemicals], and also the operations of the companies," Greenpeace East Asia campaigner Eric Liu said.
Mainland regulations on dangerous chemicals demand a safe distance between storage sites and public facilities, saying that distance must comply with national standards.
The State Administration of Work Safety requires there be at least 1km between public facilities and warehouses that are larger than 550 square metres, mainland media reported, raising fears about risks from smaller sites.
"Clear and precise definitions of some terms are needed, and the regulations should include some clear indicators for [companies and regulators] to follow," Liu said.
