Indian agrochemicals manufacturer UPL Ltd has applied for permission to flush water contaminated by a toxic pesticides spill in South Africa’s city of Durban directly into the sea or the sewerage system, the company said on Saturday.
The municipal authorities have judged the pesticides which were being contained in a dam that overflowed during devastating floods that struck the eastern port city earlier this month as being “highly toxic to the environment”.
Looters set fire to a UPL warehouse containing the pesticides during a wave of looting and arson in July last year. That caused a chemical spill which shut down beaches, released severe air pollution and killed marine wildlife. Sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, hydrogen chloride and hydrogen cyanide were among the chemicals released into the dam.
UPL told Reuters in an emailed statement that the “toxicity testing of April 11 showed extremely low levels of marine toxicity, capable of being completely neutralised” by dilution.
The municipality of eThekwini, which includes Durban, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
UPL “has discussed with authorities disposal by various methods (including) to sewer and or sea outfall via the municipal sewer system,” a company representative said, adding that “the entire proposal is based on the general acceptance by both the authorities and UPL that it is nonsensical” to truck 5224 cubic metres of contaminated water to landfills.
Environmental scientists are increasingly concerned about the contamination of the oceans by industrial chemicals, including pesticides, fertilizers, detergents and petroleum products.
Share on Facebook «||»
Share on Twitter «||»
Share on Reddit «||»
Share on LinkedIn
Read Related News On TDPel Media
Advertisement
Indian Manufacturer applies to flush Toxic Spill into SA’s Sea: Indian agrochemicals manufacturer UPL Ltd, UPLL.NS, has applied for permission to flush water contaminated by a toxic pesticides spill in South Africa’s city of Durban...
Scientists Issue Warning as ‘Blue Dragon’ Sea Slugs Take Over Texas Beaches – Toxic Threat Looms: A rarely seen and toxic sea creature, known as the ‘Blue Dragon,’ has swarmed the beaches of Texas, alarming scientists. These dangerous sea slugs, feeding...
Coastal Water Contamination Study Reveals Presence of Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, and Illegal Drugs: …By Lola Smith for TDPel Media. A recent study conducted along the south coast has uncovered a concerning “cocktail of chemicals” present in the water....
Bee Population Decline: Pesticides, Urbanization, and Climate Change Impacting Bee Numbers: Although this summer has been less sunny than desired, the occasional days of sunshine present an opportunity to try out a helpful trick. Advertisement When...
Vet Reveals the Disturbing Reason Not to Flush Pet’s Poo Down the Toilet: The Vet’s Revelation A veterinarian based in the UK, known as @Ben.the.Vet on TikTok, has shared a startling revelation about the risks associated with flushing...
African Development Bank’s African Leaders for Nutrition lauded by African Union during Assembly declaration of 2022 as “African Union Year of Nutrition”: The African Union has recognized the African Leaders for Nutrition program, which is based at the African Development Bank (www.AfDB.org), for its progress in increasing...
Welsh Conservative Member of the Senedd Applies for Mayor of London Candidacy, Promising Change and Fresh Perspective: …By Larry John for TDPel Media. Natasha Asghar, a Welsh conservative Member of the Senedd representing South Wales East, has announced her application to become...
Community Concerns Raised as Trago Mills Applies for Expanded Licensing Permissions: …By Judah Olanisebee for TDPel Media. Trago Mills in Merthyr Tydfil Requests Extended Licensing Permissions Advertisement Trago Mills in Merthyr Tydfil is seeking to expand...
Mother applies for new appeal after twenty one years of her teenager’s son disappearance.: Family Appeals for Information on Missing Teenager The family of Robert Williams, a teenager missing for over 21 years and presumed deceased, is making a...
‘Most toxic black woman in South Africas’: Dineo Ranaka accused of assault!: Dineo Ranaka just can’t seem to get away from the bad press. The media star made headlines late last year after loudly yelling at her...