Hundreds of people in West Virginia are reported to be suffering from nausea, vomiting and other symptoms after chemicals spilled into a river near the state capital on Thursday.
Whilst officials remain unclear on the level of danger posed, residents have been told not to drink tap water.
The warning comes after a foaming agent used in the coal preparation process leaked from a tank at Freedom Industries.
Schools and businesses in nine counties remain closed.
Dr Elizabeth Scharman, director of the poison center, told the Guardian that 671 residents had reported symptoms typical in cases of chemical exposure.
“The number continues to change every minute,” Ms Scharman said.“They are complaining of some nausea, vomiting, some dizziness, headaches, diarrhoea, reddening skin, itches and rashes.”
“There are different complaints from a little bit annoying to a little bit more significant.”
Spill Triggers Widespread Water Ban
The chemical spill is believed to have contaminated the public water supply for 300,000 people, and Governor Earl Ray Tomblin called for caution on the part of West Virginians.
“Do not use any of the water with exception of using it to flush loads and for fire protection,” he said. “Do not drink it, do not cook with it, do not wash clothes in it, do not take a bath in it.”
A federal disaster declaration for the state was issued by The White House and the authorities have opened an investigation into the cause of the spill.
4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol
The chemical involved in the spill is reported to be 4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol – an industrial chemical used by Freedom Industries to clean up fine coal dust.
4-Methylcyclohexane Methanol does not fall under the federal government’s regulation as a hazardous material.
Jimmy Gianato, West Virginia’s director of Homeland Security, downplayed the toxicity of the chemical.
“This product is not an extremely hazardous product in its raw form and it has been diluted hundreds of times,” he said.
The chemical leak was discovered by inspectors from the state department of environmental protection on Thursday morning, following reports by Charleston residents of a strange smell.
“Working Around The Clock” To Contain The Leak
Freedom Industries rests on the bank of the Elk River, one mile upstream from a water treatment plant.
Officials are still trying to ascertain the cause of the leak but a spokesman for the West Virginia department of environmental protection believed 5,000 gallons from a 40,000 gallon holding tank had escaped.
“Five thousand gallons got out of the tank,” Tom Aluise said in comments to the Guardian. “Some of it was contained in a secondary containment area, and some of it got into the river. But we don’t know how much got into the river.”
A statement issued by Freedom Industries said it was “working around the clock” to contain the leak.
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