Moves to reassure public after canal cyanide spill

A major incident was declared on Tuesday as the leaked chemical was confirmed to be sodium cyanide

BBC Two police officers unroll police tape at the scene, one is male with a black beard and the other female with blonde hair. They have attached the tape to a post next to a path by the canal — A major incident was declared on Tuesday as the leaked chemical was confirmed to be sodium cyanide

Public health bosses say they hope to start reducing restrictions “very quickly” on a 12-mile stretch of canals in the West Midlands following a toxic chemical spillage.

Sodium cyanide, which can cause seizures, vomiting and loss of consciousness, was confirmed on Tuesday as the chemical spilled into the waterway in Walsall.

People have been urged not to go near a long section of the canal network and towpaths from the middle of the borough to Birmingham and including connected waterways in Wednesbury, Tipton and West Bromwich.

The authority’s interim director of public health, Nadia Inglis, said they were “doing things cautiously but as quickly as we can”.

“We’re testing all points of that affected area currently and we’ll be reviewing those result as they come through,” she added.

“We’ll be removing those restrictions and hopefully reducing the size of that potentially affected area where we are confident there isn’t a risk to health.”

There were a number of dead fish in the canal

Dead fish float on the surface of a body of water with green weeds sitting just underneath the surface — There were a number of dead fish in the canal

The exclusion zone markers run from the Walsall lock flight to lock flights at Rushall/Ryders Green in the borough and Perry Barr in Birmingham.

On Tuesday, council leader Garry Perry said it was too early to speculate how the substance entered the waterway but promised regular updates as a major incident was declared.

People were still being urged to avoid a 12-mile stretch of the canal network on Wednesday morning following the spill

Walsall Council A map showing part of the canal network in the West Midlands, with Walsall Lock Flight, Rushall Lock Flight, Perry Barr Lock Flight and Ryders Green Lock Flight all identified — People were still being urged to avoid a 12-mile stretch of the canal network on Wednesday morning following the spill

Sodium cyanide dissolves in water and can have serious adverse health effects if people or pets come into direct contact with it, the council advised.

The chemical, a white crystal-like solid with a faint almond odour, is used in industry for metal cleaning, plating and extraction, and photography.

The UK Health Security Agency said exposure could cause symptoms including headaches, nausea, dizziness, loss of consciousness, seizures and vomiting.

Anyone exposed to the water who felt unwell should seek medical advice through the NHS 111 service or phone 999 in an emergency, a spokesperson for the authority added.

Walsall Council leader Garry Perry said on Tuesday it was too early to speculate on how the cyanide got into the canal

A mean wearing glasses and a dark blue shirt, with green railings and trees in the background as well as an individual wearing a high visibility vest — Walsall Council leader Garry Perry said on Tuesday it was too early to speculate on how the cyanide got into the canal

Ms Inglis added: “Our primary aim has been to keep the public safe and to protect their health and wellbeing.

“Given the nature of the substance, we’re taking a cautious approach to protecting our public until we know it’s safe to open those canal towpaths again.”

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