May 16, 2009 - 17:45 AMT
RA Ministry of Health: Recent fire at Nairit factory poses no threat to the health of population
"Recent fire at Nairit factory poses no threat to the health of population," Head of State Department for Anti-epidemiology and Hygiene at RA Ministry of Health, Sos Hovhannesyan told a news conference in Yerevan. "Right after the catastrophe RA Health Ministry experts conducted an operative examination of air samples to test for the presence of chemical substances. According to experts, sanitary norms were not exceeded"

According to Hovhannesyan, no one in Nairit neighborhood required medical help. "If people felt no acute changes in their health right after the catastrophe, no negative consequences should be expected in future," Sos Hovhannesyan stated.

Yesterday, around 6:40 p.m. two explosions occurred at Nairit Factory; later the fire erupted. 9 fire-brigades arrived at the site within 15 minutes of the incident.

One absorption tower has burned down as a result of breakage at chloroprene section. Due to firemen's efforts the fire was fully extinguished. 4 people are dead and 8 injured as a result of fire.

A professional council was formed at the factory yesterday to investigate breakage causes, and work towards overcoming fire consequences.

The breakage caused no contamination, no dangerous emissions are registered. Other technical lines of the factory continue operating.

Two criminal cases are started. Explosion causes haven't yet been determined.