Sodium cyanide canal spill sparks major incident in the UK

A MAJOR incident has been declared in Walsall, UK after sodium cyanide spilled into a canal.

Access to the area has been closed off and the public have been warned to stay away from a 12-mile stretch of the canal network which stretches as far as Birmingham and West Bromwich. The authorities have warned that there is a serious risk to the health of people and their pets. Anyone who has been exposed and is feeling unwell has been advised to seek medical advice. Dead fish have been photographed floating in the canal.

Sodium cyanide is a highly toxic, white, crystal-like solid. When ingested it can cause headaches, nausea, vomiting, and loss of consciousness. When added to water it gives off fumes of hydrogen cyanide, which is also highly toxic and has a bitter almond-like odour that not everyone can detect. Inhaling hydrogen cyanide can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, elevated heart rate, and loss of consciousness.

The spillage was detected on Monday and investigations are underway to determine the cause, though Garry Perry, leader of Walsall Council, said it was too early to speculate. Sodium cyanide is chiefly used for metal cleaning, plating and extraction, and photography.

Authorities responding to the spill include the UK Health Security Agency and the Environment Agency. Testing is being carried out on the water as authorities seek to monitor the extent of the incident and determine when it’s safe to lift restrictions. The Canal and River Trust said people living on boats are being made aware of the incident.

Perry said: “We are working closely with our partners to manage this situation which has been declared a major incident. For your own safety please avoid this area of the canal and its towpaths.”

Updates on the incident are being posted by the council here. There are also documents available from Public Health England describing the properties, risks of exposure, and incident management for sodium cyanide and hydrogen cyanide.