A Japanese city is on high alert due to a cat’s exposure to hazardous chemicals, which it fell into before disappearing into the night.
Authorities in Fukuyama, Hiroshima prefecture, have increased patrols and cautioned locals against approaching the animal, last spotted leaving a plating factory on Sunday.
A worker’s discovery of pawprints on Monday led to a 3-meter-deep tank containing hexavalent chromium, a cancer-causing chemical known to cause rashes and inflammation.
The fate of the cat remains uncertain, as stated by a Fukuyama City Hall official.
Akihiro Kobayashi, manager of the Nomura Mekki Fukuyama factory, reported finding a partially torn sheet covering the chemical tank upon employees’ return to work after the weekend.
Kobayashi noted that factory workers are vigilant for the cat, and no health issues have been reported among the staff despite the incident.
Hexavalent chromium, also known as Chromium-6, gained notoriety through its portrayal in the movie “Erin Brockovich,” which highlighted its carcinogenic properties and real-life environmental controversies.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hexavalent chromium poses risks to the eyes, skin, and respiratory system, with exposure effects varying based on dosage, duration, and activities.
Linda Schenk, a researcher at Sweden’s Karolinska Institute specializing in chemical risk assessment, expressed skepticism about the cat’s survival, emphasizing the risk of ingestion due to grooming habits.
She stated, “My guess is that the cat unfortunately is dead or will be dying shortly, from the chemical burns.”
Source-CNN
