Spill in Bering Sea

AP | 13 August 03

[RussianConservative]

MOSCOW (AP) -- Tons of chemicals used for the production of plastics have leaked off the coast of a Russian island in the Bering Sea, local media reported Tuesday.

A 20-metric-ton container of chemicals owned by Dupont washed up on Bering Island in late July. The container was one of three such containers that Dupont lost at sea in March, Interfax reported.

In recent days the container of tetraethylene glycol has begun to leak. Interfax said the container was cracked when a powerful storm hurled it onto some rocks.

However, Itar-Tass quoted marine inspection spokesman Sergei Donigevich as saying the crack could have been caused by local residents who attempted to move it.

Dupont has agreed to remove the container by helicopter before Sunday, Interfax said.

[.cnI redruM]

I'm truely impressed. This is so much better than when Chernobyl blew up and Gorby tried to deny it until cows started getting nuked in Norway. It's too bad Dupont was careless, however, it's good that Russia now cleans these things up and warns people that disasters have occurred.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

This is probably around eight thousand gallons.

[RussianConservative]

Well Dupont under law suit for this.

[MEG33]

Not good for the fishermen or the fish.

[rockfish59]

Lost in March??

Ummm...errr..

[sandydipper]

Want a side of tetradyhydrate with those crab cluters?

[RussianConservative]

What are long term effects on wildlife?

[Arthalion]

What are long term effects on wildlife?

Looked up the MSDS on the chemical and I found this:

Ecotoxicity: This material is highly soluble in water. Limited toxicity tests and models indicate this material should exhibit low toxicity to aquatic organisms. This material has exhibited low toxicity in laboratory testing with rats. The odor and flavor of this material may attract some wildlife and cause them to consume spilled material.

Environmental Fate: This material should biodegrade after an acclimation period, and it is is not expected to be environmentally persistant. Due care should be taken to avoid accidental releases to aquatic or terrestrial systems.

Bioaccumulation: This material is highly soluble in water and should not bioaccumulate in aquatic or terrestrial organisms.

Overall, the MSDS (which can be found here) states that the chemical is an eye and skin irritant, but not particularly toxic. The only potential problem here is fire. The chemical is flammable, and the fumes generated by a fire CAN be toxic. On the shore of a remote stretch of the Bering Sea, however, I doubt there's much around to ignite it.