A COMPANY have admitted responsibility for a toxic cyanide spill into a town's canal which led to a major public health alert. Anochrome Ltd was named by the Environment Agency (EA) as being behind the serious chemical spillage in Walsall, West Midlands , on Monday. It has affected a 14 mile stretch of water across the Black Country and into Birmingham - sparking a major incident.
Walsall Council yesterday confirmed the EA had found traces of sodium cyanide in the water which can be fatal to humans and animals. Residents have been warned to avoid the contaminated waterways and told not to eat fish caught from the canal. The metal finishing firm has now issued a statement confirming chemicals from their site had entered the canal and they were working to contain the spill.
Read more Health News A spokesman for Anochrome Ltd said: "We can confirm that a chemical incident occurred at Anochrome Ltd Walsall in the early hours of Monday, August 12. "Regrettably, as a result, some of the released chemicals entered a canal in Walsall. "Our immediate response was to notify the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water.
"Our senior management team has been, and remain, on-site working collaboratively with all relevant authorities and agencies to minimise and contain the spill. Most read in Health "In addition, from the moment we were aware of the incident, we have made all our facilities available to the authorities and agencies in attendance, including inhouse laboratory testing facil.