Whoops! Harbin (PRC) Water Contains 108X Maximum Benzene Levels

[hatrack]

Chinese authorities have revealed that major pollution of a river has forced the suspension of water supplies to Harbin, a northern city of 3.4m people. "Benzene levels were 108 times above national safety levels," said China's Environment Protection Administration.

The contamination after an accident at a chemical plant is expected to pass through Harbin on the Songhua river for the next two days, officials said.

Some schools and businesses have closed and flights out of Harbin are sold out. "Everyone wants to leave Harbin and it is very difficult to buy tickets," a factory manager told Reuters.

Benzene is a highly poisonous toxin that is also carcinogenic. Fifteen hospitals have been placed on stand-by to cope with possible poisoning victims.

EDIT

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4462760.stm