The United Phosphorus Limited chemical plant in Cornubia, Durban, has employed two firms to contain the spill from the plant, which was torched during the violence and looting in KwaZulu-Natal.
on Tuesday that the company, which stored herbicides, pesticide and fungicides, is doing all it can to mitigate the “bad” situation.
On Friday last week, Barbara Creecy, minister of the department of forestry, fisheries and the environment, described the steps the department will take to remedy the situation. She said that their priority at this stage is to ensure that harmful effects of the chemicals are mitigated and that containment measures are effective.
“UPL has consulted extensively with toxicologist Dr Gerhard Verdoorn. In his view, there is a minimal risk of any long-term effects to the health of people exposed to smoke from the warehouse. The situation is being closely monitored.”It said a number of the products were plant bio-stimulants and foliar feeds, which are water-based, with micronutrients and some biological beneficial organisms, and do not represent a health concern.
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