The US Chemical Safety Board is set to deploy an investigative team to the scene of a massive chemical spill into the Elk River in Charleston, West Virginia.
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 is believed to have leaked from a tank at Freedom Industries.
Hundreds of people in West Virginia, who have been left without fresh water, are reported to be suffering from nausea, vomiting and other symptoms of chemical exposure.
CSB chairperson, Rafael Moure-Eraso, said: “This incident continues to impact the people of West Virginia – our goal is to find out what happened to allow a leak of such magnitude to occur and to ensure that the proper safeguards are in place to prevent a similar incident from occurring.”
The CSB confirms that the investigative team will be headed up by Johnnie Banks and is set to arrive in West Virginia on Monday morning.
A statement issued by Freedom Industries said it was “working around the clock” to contain the leak.
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