Comprehensive assessment of recent major chemical accidents in China and path to sustainable solutions

Abstract

China’s chemical manufacturing sector has experienced remarkable growth in recent years, making it a global leader in chemical production. However, this rapid expansion has led to an increase in chemical accidents, particularly major chemical accidents (MCAs), resulting in significant casualties and property loss. This study focuses on MCAs that occurred in China between 2017 and 2022, using mathematical statistics. It examines various aspects of accidents, including the annual number of accidents and casualties, distribution across months, types of accidents, accident stages, direct causes of accidents, and geographical distribution of accidents. Furthermore, this study investigated the potential of using novel digital tools to enhance the safety of chemical production. By analysing the data and identifying trends, this study aims to contribute to the prevention of large-scale chemical disasters. Furthermore, it explores the implementation of smart management of chemical plants, utilising the Internet of Things (IoT) for example, to ensure the sustainable advancement of the chemical industry.