A cat broke into and escaped from a toxic and potentially deadly container in Fukuyama, southwestern Japan, on Sunday. The city has since issued public health alerts, reports Washington Post, CBS News and the BBC.
On Sunday evening, a worker at the Nomura Plating plant discovered a trail of yellow-brown paw prints leading to the toxic container. Surveillance footage later confirmed the cat had escaped from a container containing a dressing solution containing the acidic carcinogen hexavalent chromium, according to Japanese outlet Asahi Shimbun Digital. The 11-foot-tall tank was filled to about 70% of its capacity, and a plate was placed over it, which was then turned over, according to the Asahi Shimbun.
After the company discovered the video, it notified local authorities about the missing cat. “The incident has awakened us to the need to take measures to prevent small animals such as cats from sneaking in, which is something we never expected before,” said a spokesman for Nomura Plating, according to the BBC.
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According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the toxin can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, lung cancer and blindness. In addition, factory personnel must wear rubber gloves and masks when working near the liquid.
If people ingest the substance, a variety of symptoms can occur, including heart failure, intestinal, liver and kidney damage, abdominal pain, diarrhea and, in some cases, death, reports the UK’s Health Safety Agency.
The toxic chemical is also known to be the source of contamination problems in Hinkley, California. This incident from 1952-1996. especially inspired the film Erin Brockovich — which starred Julia Roberts.
The footprints are believed to be from a cat that fell into a tank containing toxic hexavalent chromium at a sheet metal factory in Fukuyama, Hiroshima.
HANDOUT/Nomura Plating/AFP via Getty
It is still unclear whether the cat ingested the substance or is still alive. At the time of this posting, there have been no sightings of the cat.
However, public officials announced, “If you find a cat that seems abnormal, please do not touch it and contact the city or the police,” the Asahi Shimbun reported.
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Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education