Journalists look at the new LG G2 smart phone
Journalists look at the new LG G2 smart phone following its debut at a news conference in New York August 7, 2013. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

BBC reports that the accident occurred while the victims were doing routine maintenance when suddenly nitrogen leaked that suffocated one of the workers to death and the other one died while being transported to the hospital. In addition, four other factory staff have also been badly affected by the said chemical leak.

According to the statement sent out by LG Display Company, the victims were employed by an LG contractor and were carrying out their regular repair and maintenance work when the nitrogen leak incident occurred around midday (local time) at the factory in Paju, a city around 40 kilometers (24.8 miles) north of Seoul. The workers involved were renovating the ninth floor of the factory known as P8, which makes liquid crystal display (LCD) screens for a number of household products that includes television sets.

Based on News Sky, nitrogen makes up 80% of the Earth's atmosphere but is very dangerous to humans when inhaled in its purer form. The alleged chemical element is colourless, odourless, tasteless and non-metal gas making it hard to detect.

Nitrogen is popular for its commercial use as a component in manufacturing ammonia. On the other hand, liquid nitrogen is used as a refrigerant, which is mainly used in freezing and transporting food products. It can also be used in the preservation of bodies and reproductive cells (sperm and eggs) and for stable storage of biological samples. But in the LG Display factory, nitrogen is used to wash the display panels during production.

Fire authorities claim that the victims might have opened or may have accidentally damaged a nitrogen valve in the factory. Apparently, it is the second industrial nitrogen accident South Korea. Three workers also died at the Shingori 3 nuclear reactor in Ulsan last month.

Finally, LG has expressed regrets with the unfortunate incident. The company will work hand in hand with the authorities who will conduct the investigation to find out the cause of the leak. LG said that it will ensure that such accident will not happen again.

Email: e.reyes@ibtimes.com.au