RODRIGUEZ-CAMPOS, Jorge    FERNANDEZ-ARCE, Mario. Technological hazards in the cantón La Unión, Cartago, Costa Rica. []. , 35, 4, pp.45-56. ISSN 0379-3982.  http://dx.doi.org/10.18845/tm.v35i4.5746.

This article describes the distribution of technological hazards at La Unión Canton, Cartago and shows the maximum range radius due to possible explosions at gas stations. Technological incidents could arise in the industries, gas stations and the pipeline of the Refinadora Costarricense de Petroleo (RECOPE), which requires studies to know their destructive capacity. The work reveals the potential of technological incidents in the canton of La Unión and will serve to manage these technological hazards more efficiently. A linearity and proportionality relationship with data from the Mexican Geological Service was used to estimate the extent of explosions at gas stations. In order to find out the extent of industrial gas leaks, a study on chemical-technological hazards in the Gran Área Metropolitan (GAM) was used as a guide and references on previously occurred incidents were reviewed. A field study, to verify the presence of human settlements near the pipeline, and a bibliographic review provided an idea of the potential threat of the pipeline. The results indicate that the maximum danger radii associated with gas station explosions in La Unión vary between 6.85 and 13.08 meters and that the gas leak can affect areas with a radius close to 10 km.

: Hazards; explosions; gas; fuel; incidents.

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