American Citizens Services Newsletter

Warden Message (12/29/2005)

The U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou issued the following warden message on December 29, 2005:

The Provincial Government of Guangzhou and news agencies in Southern China have reported that a toxic slick was caused by an excessive discharge of cadmium from a state-owned smelting works in the Beijiang River, a major source of drinking water for cities in the northern part of Guangdong Province. The Beijiang runs into the Pearl River, which flows through Guangzhou. Local governments have set up monitoring posts along the Beijiang River to monitor water quality. So far, no warnings about water quality have been issued for residents of Guangzhou. However, several smaller cities nearer to the spill have takes steps to ensure adequate water is available and are actively monitoring water quality in affected rivers.

According to press reports, cities near Guangzhou and Foshan have been ordered to prepare emergency plans to ensure safe drinking water supplies as the toxic cadmium slick approaches. At this time, we are not aware of what these emergency plans are. It has been reported that the Guangdong Provincial Government has decided to release water from a reservoir in the upper reaches of the river to dilute the pollution so that the water will be safe enough to drink. It is also reported that the spill has polluted the river water in Shakou, a town to the north of Yingde, but Shakou officials have stated that the town does not rely on river water for their municipal drinking supplies.

Cadmium is a chemical used to produce protective steel coatings. Serious exposure can cause diarrhea, stomach pains, severe vomiting, and in very extreme cases, bone fractures, kidney damage, reproductive failure and damage to the central nervous system and the immune system. Compounds containing cadmium are also carcinogenic. Levels downstream of the discharge site have been reported to exceed the normal safety standard by ten times. Cadmium can be absorbed by plants and sea creatures such as fish and crabs and thus enter the food chain being subsequently consumed by humans.

Other information on the potential effects of cadmium exposure is available at:

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/cadmium/
http://www.who.int/en/
http://www.cdc.gov/

American Citizens in the affected areas are cautioned to use bottled water only until the toxicity and the extent of the spill can be confirmed. Americans are asked to monitor local press reports and instructions issued by employers and local governments regarding this spill. Subsequent Warden messages will be published as more information becomes available.

 

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Last modified: December 29, 2005