Task force struggles to contain gas leak in Manaus Residents and workers who live or work near the company Innova, in the Industrial District of Manaus, told g1 on Friday night (17) that they felt unwell after the styrene monomer leak recorded on Wednesday (15). Among the symptoms cited are nausea, headache, eye irritation, tightness in the throat, shortness of breath and diarrhea. The leak in the Innova tank was recorded at 5:36 pm on Wednesday (15), following an abnormal rise in the temperature of styrene monomer, a substance used in the manufacture of plastics, synthetic rubbers and styrofoam. Exposure to the product through inhalation can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, as well as headaches, dizziness and nausea. ? Join the g1 AM channel on WhatsApp Domestic worker Rosivete Ferreira, aged 63, said she began to feel the first symptoms on Thursday morning (16), hours after the leak. She stated that the strong odor of the substance continues to be perceived in the region. "I felt nauseous, very sick, a tightness in my throat and a headache. My eye felt like it was full of pepper, burning really bad", he reported. A resident of an area close to the leak site, she stated that she did not seek medical attention and said that she kept her house closed for part of the day because of the smell. "When I opened the house I still felt that smell. I preferred to keep everything closed until noon. Then I started turning on the air conditioning and it went away. Until (Thursday) night I still had symptoms", he said. Truck helper Luiz Ferreira, who works at a company located near Innova, also stated that he had shown symptoms after the leak. He also reported that co-workers felt ill during working hours, but activities were not interrupted. "People started running to the bathroom. When I got home I also felt sick. I had a headache and diarrhea," he said. Luiz said that the smell of the substance remained strong in the company after the leak and that employees continued to work normally. "Today I worked normally, but there was a strong smell inside. They didn't give any instructions and the factory didn't stop at any time," he said. He said he also did not seek medical attention. The reports made to g1 describe symptoms compatible with the effects of exposure to styrene monomer pointed out by the head of the Chemistry Department at the Federal University of Amazonas (Ufam), Karime Bentes. According to the expert, the substance is toxic and inhalation can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, as well as headaches, dizziness and nausea. The researcher further explained that styrene is stored in liquid form, but it evaporates quickly and, when it becomes a gas, it can spread over great distances. She also warned that, depending on the concentration of the substance in the atmosphere, rain can react with the product and form harmful compounds and liquid styrene, increasing the risk of environmental contamination. Innova factory, in Manaus. Alexandro Pereira/Rede Amazônica The incident The styrene monomer leak was recorded at 5:36 pm on Wednesday, at Innova Unit IV. The strong odor of the chemical was noticed in neighborhoods close to the Industrial District and led to the immediate evacuation of a shopping mall located close to the company. Since the incident, teams from the Amazonas Military Fire Department (CBMAM) have been working to cool the tank to control the temperature and avoid new risks. The main hypothesis investigated by the corporation is a spontaneous reaction inside the structure. As of Friday afternoon (17), the State Department of Health (SES-AM) reported that it had carried out 211 consultations related to the leak. Of the total, 209 patients were discharged, one remains hospitalized in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and a 67-year-old man died after seeking medical attention. According to the ministry, no direct relationship was found between the death and the incident, as the patient had a history of chronic respiratory disease. In a statement, Innova reported that the incident was controlled in accordance with the company's emergency protocols and that all waste generated was stored for appropriate treatment. The company also stated that there was no fire, no leakage of liquid product outside the containment area, nor any record of victims. "The situation was promptly contained in accordance with the emergency procedures established by the Company," the company said. Innova also stated that there is no risk of shortages for customers and that it remains at the disposal of the authorities to provide clarifications. Gas can be considered toxic Styrene monomer, a substance that leaked from a tank at the company Innova, in Manaus, is a toxic chemical product, according to the head of the Chemistry Department at the Federal University of Amazonas (Ufam), Karime Bentes. The expert also highlighted that, under certain climatic conditions, the gas can react and form harmful compounds that spread over long distances through the air. Karime Bentes explained that styrene monomer is used in the manufacture of plastics, synthetic rubbers and expanded polystyrene (styrofoam). According to her, exposure to the product through inhalation can cause irritation to the eyes, nose and throat, as well as headaches, dizziness and nausea. The expert states that the product is originally liquid, but when it becomes gas, it tends to spread more easily and can reach places far from the leak point. "Styrene is a chemical product that comes in liquid form, but evaporates quickly. When it becomes a gas, it is heavier than oxygen and can spread over great distances," he said. READ ALSO: What is known about toxic gas leak from factory in Manaus Thermal camera identifies cracks in leaking tank