/ 17 October 2007

Tests find toxic chemicals at Durban’s Bluff

Toxicity results from the United States have raised concerns over last month’s explosion in the Durban Bluff area, the South African Broadcasting Corporation reported on Tuesday.

The containers in the Island View Storage facility possibly contained paraffin, alcohol, solvents and cresol.

South Africa does not have the proper facilities to test for airborne chemicals, the report said.

A local environmental organisation sent samples to the US and the tests revealed a high concentration of a chemical called bromomethane.

This was despite the assurance by municipal authorities that people’s lives were not in danger.

”We also found that benzene was three times the norm,” said chairperson of the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance Desmond D’sa.

Preliminary municipal tests indicated that it was not concentrated sufficiently to be harmful. Samples were sent to Italy, but the results had not yet been received.

The report cited experts who thought there was reason for concern.

There have been no serious symptoms reported by residents, but those with heart and respiratory problems should exercise caution, it said.

The eThekwini municipality declined to comment before studying the organisation’s report. Its own report was due to be released on Friday.

The cause of the blast was still not known. – Sapa