Is it explosive – why might this have happened? Prof Jacqueline Akhavan, Head of Centre for Defence Chemistry, Cranfield Defence and Security, Cranfield University, said:
“The NO2 in the plume is clearly toxic but will have been projected high above the city and will gradually disperse in the wind. it doesn’t fly) and as most of the ammonium nitrate will have gone and the remainder can be washed away into the sea where it will fertilise things. “I don’t think there is any significant hazard. Prof Andrea Sella, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry, UCL, said: A large explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, was reportedly caused by a large quantity of ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse near the port.Ĭommenting on whether there will likely be remaining health impacts of exposure:
