Transport of dangerous goods by road - Accidents involving flammable Gases (class 2.1) in Portugal

Abstract

In 2009, in Portugal, the transport of dangerous goods by road was 10% of the total, which corresponds to 10 million tons annually. About 70% of these goods are flammable. Since 1961, 80% of accidents with flammable products come from GPL. In this context and given the importance of this issue, it is intended to characterize in the present work, the accidents with flammable gases in Portugal. This work was based on official statistics of the Portuguese National Institute of Statistics and the National Authority for Civil Protection, as well in a bibliographic review performed through Metalib (FEUP). Between 2001 and 2005, 66 incidents were reported, 15 of which corresponded to propane, butane and other hydrocarbon gas liquefied mixture, having been recorded one dead. The transport of such goods is associated with the growth of the economy. It is, however, needed to avoid any accidents the adoption of appropriate measures.