The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) has issued a statement revealing fresh details about an accident that led to the spillage of Sodium cyanide on a Kenyan highway.
In a statement dated July 23, 2024, the authority revealed that the truck was transporting custom bonded goods specifically Sodium Cyanide enroute to Kampala, Uganda.
The truck overturned on 20th July, while ferrying 414 drums each weighing 50Kgs containing the toxic chemical white pellets in solid form.
“The truck of known registration was carrying 414 drums each weighing 50 kgs containing Sodium Cyanide white pellets (solid form) wrapped in water proof black plastic bags and sealed in metallic containers at the time of the accident,” reads part of the statement.
NEMA Reveals Details
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NEMA revealed that the Ministry of Health, National Police Service and an officer from the National Government are coordinating incident response measures including clean-up and clearing the scene of accident, sensitization of the danger of the chemical to the public and the environment and retrieval of the missing containers.
The scene of the accident has so far been cleared and contacts have been established with the owners who are assisting the authorities with the remediation measures and investigation.
The authority added that it had informed the public of possible dangers of coming into contact with the content of the containers.
“The public is hereby warned the content of the containers from the accident scene is extremely toxic and hazardous. The public is again cautioned against coming into contact with the containers.
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The containers should not be opened, spilled into surface water or come into contact with acid or any other contact,” warned the authority.
In its plea to members of the public, the authority asked residents to return the missing containers to the area chief and call NEMA hotline number in case of any spills.
In addition, NEMA reiterated that the content of the containers is extremely toxic and hazardous and warned the public against coming into contact with the containers.
“The public is hereby informed that the content of the containers from the accident scene is extremely toxic and hazardous,” reads part of the statement.
“The public is again cautioned against coming into contact with the containers. The containers should not be opened, spilled into surface water or come into contact with acid or any chemicals.”
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