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Parts of Cornubia chemical plant to be demolished

In a press release issued on Monday, the company said the agricultural chemicals its produces, which has been burning for sevens says, will not cause severe harm to people living nearby. 

July 20, 2021
Content provided 2 minutes read
The fire has been extinguished, however it is still smoldering. PHOTO: Facebook
PARTS of the UPL agricultural chemical plant  in Cornubia, which was set alight by looters last Monday, will be demolished, the company said in a press release on Monday.
 
Residents living in north Durban areas took to social media since the fire started asking for more information about the smell emerging from the burning factory that had become unbearable for some.
 
READ ALSO: WATCH: Chemical plant set alight near Cornubia
 
In a press release issued on Monday, the company said the agricultural chemicals its produces, which has been burning for sevens says, will not cause severe harm to people living nearby. 
 
The press release read: “Communities in the vicinity of the Cornubia warehouse fire have been understandably anxious to receive more information on the ongoing remediation efforts and the containment of the crop solution products that may have been released into the environment following the arson attack on the building. The fire has been doused but debris continues to smoulder, and parts of the structure have had to be demolished to allow firefighters to safely douse these remaining areas. It is expected that this should be completed by Wednesday, 21 July.”
 
READ ALSO: North Durban residents concerned by fumes emanating from chemical warehouse
 
The press release further stated that UPL had provided Dr Gerhard Verdoorn with a list of the crop solution products stored in the warehouse, and was requested to provide guidance on the possible health implications posed by the release of these products into the environment.
 
“In his view, there is a minimal risk of any long-terms effects to the health of people exposed to smoke from the warehouse. However, exposure in the short term to some of the chemicals contained in the crop solution products may result in dermal, eye and respiratory irritation.”
 
“The situation is being closely monitored and to date, no cases of acute human toxicity have been reported. It needs to be emphasised that a number of the products were bio-stimulants and foliar feeds which are water based, with micro-nutrients and some biological beneficial organisms, and do not represent a health concern.
 
READ ALSO: Don’t pick up contaminated marine life following chemical spillage, warns City
 
It is advisable, however, for people with asthmatic conditions and very young infants to avoid the immediate surroundings of the Cornubia warehouse. 
 
If residents in the area have health concerns they should seek medical advice.
 
As a precaution, residents who are in contact with the smoke cloud are advised to wear double Covid-19-type surgical or soft cotton masks, of which the outer layer is kept slightly moist to trap particles and fumes.
 
Dry noses should be lubricated with nasal tract remedies that are available from pharmacies or pure petroleum gel (not menthol rubs).  
 
 

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July 20, 2021
Content provided 2 minutes read

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