Posted on 03/26/2002 2:17:10 AM PST by ATOMIC_PUNK
U.N. Wants International Aid to Stem Djibouti Leak
— GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations issued an urgent call Tuesday for international aid to help stem a toxic chemical leak at the port of Djibouti in East Africa.
National efforts to stop the leak of some 200 tonnes of chromated copper arsenate, which can cause cancer, had failed and the imminent rainy season was sparking fears the chemical could flow into the sea and damage fish stocks.
The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said earlier this month that the chemical, shipped from Britain for delivery to the Ethiopian Power Corporation, had been packed in unsuitable plastic containers instead of steel drums.
"Urgent action is required before the start of the April rainy season...(which could) cause the spread of contamination and further threaten public health," the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said in a statement.
"According to the experts, this may provoke casualties and extensive damage to the environment," it added.
Chromated copper arsenate is used mainly as a wood preservative for power and telephone poles. It is extremely dangerous to humans and can cause cancer.
OCHA's most pressing needs are for an expert team, plastic drums and bags to store dry contaminated debris. It also called for protective clothing and eyewear, pumps and hoses and plastic sheeting. It estimates it will need $95,500.
Shouldn't this be between Ethiopia and Britain?
It estimates it will need $95,500.
I'll bet it can be done for no more than $93,383.
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