How one 'faulty valve' sparked a major incident in Trafford

Hospitals on alert, concerns for the health of exposed local residents and businesses locked down were sparked due to a 'faulty valve' at a chemical plant in Trafford.

A major incident was declared on Monday morning (March 4) after a chemical leak at the Lanxess plant on Tenax Road. A huge emergency services response attended the scene with a 300m cordon put in place amid rapid investigations throughout the afternoon.

Local residents and office workers were warned to keep their windows shut as one worker at the site, thought to have breathed in vapours from the leaked chemical, was also left injured, according to a source.

READ MORE The symptoms to look out for if you live near to chemical leak in Trafford

It is understood the chemical was phosphorus oxychloride; a colourless to pale yellow, fuming, oily liquid with a strong odour. It is used as a chlorinating agent and in making semiconductors, gasoline additives, plasticizers, and organophosphorus compounds such as pesticides.

However exposure can cause shortness of breath and coughing to anyone who comes into contact with it. High exposure can cause fluid to build up in the lungs, a condition known as pulmonary edema.

The major incident caused emergency services to flood the area at around 9am, including incident response units, fire crews, paramedics and police. A number of roads in the surrounding area were blocked off for a number of hours and evacuations were carried out. Metrolink trams were also halted for a short time.

"Residents and business being advised on health grounds to close all doors and windows while investigations continue," police said at the time. "A number of surrounding roads have been closed as a precaution."

Amid the chaos, hospitals across