Due to the damage, dangerous chemicals leaked into a nearby river.

The unrest in KwaZulu-Natal a few weeks ago saw massive damage being caused to several businesses. One such organisation that was affected by the looting is The United Phosphorus Limited with a warehouse in Cornubia.

Their warehouse smouldered during the protests and looting. Their premises housed more than 5 000 different chemicals, many of which were rather hazardous and had to be stored and kept in a proper manner for everyone’s safety. Now, these dangerous chemicals have leaked into a nearby river and pose a major health risk.

It is being reported that among the chemicals that have spilled into the environment are huge volumes of pesticides, rodenticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fumigants. All of these chemicals are known to cause cancer, among other things.

The natural environment has already shown the devastating results of the incident. A recent report by an investigating team who is assessing the damage found that almost three tons of dead marine life were found in nearby rivers and shallow seas. They also suggested that nearby sugarcane fields are also severely affected.

The public has been urged to stay away from the contaminated area, but according to the experts, it is already too late.

“There were some reports of surfers that reported skin irritation in the sea, which is really worrying because it means the concentration, even in the ocean, was so high that people were experiencing health impacts in the acute phase,” Rico Euripidou, the director of environmental justice organisation, groundWork, said in an interview with Business Insider South Africa. 

United Phosphorus Limited has been quiet about the exact contents of the chemicals housed in their warehouse. It is understood that research is being conducted to ascertain what the most effective way to cleanse the nearby contaminated environment is.