Beijing -- China.org.cn reports that nearly 9 tonnes of aniline leaked by a chemical plant in north China's Shanxi Province have ended up in the Zhuozhang River.
Local authorities reported the leak 6 Jan, and said an initial investigation revealed that a loose drainage valve in the plant, owned by the Tianji Coal Chemical Industry Group, was to blame for the leak.
The report said another 30 tonnes of leaked aniline have been contained in a disused reservoir.
Aniline is widely used to manufacture pigments, herbicides and other chemicals. It is used in the production of the isocyanate MDI (methylene diphenyl diisocyanate), used in turn to make polyurethane products.
