The Cyanide Spill in Romania - Movie Review Example

? THE CYANIDE SPILL IN ROMANIA: ASSESSING ITS AFTERMATHS The Cyanide Spill in Romania: Assessing its Aftermaths The following questions and answers are in relation to the cyanide spill in Romania in 2000: 1. Provide details concerning the incident and its aftermath. A serious incident in 30th of January, year 2000 occurred in Romania involving the release of cyanide into a river near a metals recovery plant near Baia Mare, approximately 100,000m3 of sludge containing both cyanide salts and heavy metals flowed into the Tisza River (Kovac, 2000). The incident not only caused problems for the rivers and inlets near the Tisza, but also to larger bodies of water connected to it, such as the Danube River and the Black Sea. The chemical spill was pinned onto an Australian-owned mining company using cyanide salts for mining gold and silver, which is an outlawed method in Europe. But the company denied all allegations, and even attributed the chemical spill and the river’s death on environmental factors (Harper, 2005). The spill had a lasting effect on the water supply, but despite having no record of human health impacts were recorded, it greatly affected the wildlife that lived on the river and the residents that depended on it for food and livelihood (Marmorat, 2008). While the early March floods that occurred after the chemical spill were able to lessen the impact due to the dispersion of the chemical and heavy-metal contaminants, it was estimated that it would take at least a decade to see any improvements in the river’s state. The following are the assumptions on the possible causes and effects of the chemical spill to wildlife and the residents living near the Tisza River and its basins: Precipitations might have possibly caused the toxic sludge containing both cyanide and other heavy metals to overspill the dams holding them in and caused the excesses to flow into the nearest bodies of water. The cyanide content of the toxic sludge that flowed into the bodies of water and ended up into the Tisza River might have been too high, that the effects of the poison lasted months and even years after the chemical spill. The toxicity levels of the sludge affected the livelihoods of the fishermen that depended on the River Tisza by rendering all kinds of fish either dead or too highly- contaminated to be consumed, thus any kind of commercial fishing would be counter-productive. Due to the numerous waterways and other areas where the Tisza River drains its water, not only did the chemical spill affect other larger rivers, but also the smaller ones where these large rivers either enter or exit into, causing damage to greater areas. Because the interconnecting rivers and channels affected by the chemical spill run into countries outside Romania, the environmental disaster could cause political unrest between the countries whose rivers were affected by the chemical spill, and Romania. 2. Review and attach an MSDS for Cyanide The following MSDS has been condensed from the Science Lab (2005) data sheet for their sodium cyanide product, which is the form of the cyanide salt normally used for mining: Section 1. Chemical Product Chemical Name: Sodium cyanide Chemical Formula: NaCN Section 2. Composition and Information on Ingredients Composition (by Weight): Sodium cyanide = 100% Toxicological data: Sodium cyanide Oral (LD50): acute: 6.44mg/kg (Rat) Dermal (LD50): acute: 10.4mg/kg (Rabbit) Section 3: Hazards Identification Potential Acute Health Effects: Very hazardous when ingested or inhaled, or when in contact with the skin or eyes. Damaging effects to exposed tissues are proportional to length of contact. Potential Chronic Health Effects: Repeated or prolonged exposure can cause damage to the nervous system, tears and lesions in the skin and lungs, leading to asphyxiation. Section 4. First Aid Measures After doing the following first aid measures, seek medical help immediately. In case of eye contact, flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. Remove contact lenses first, if present. In case of skin contact, remove contaminated clothing and flush area with water for at least 15 minutes. For serious skin contact, wash with antibacterial soap. If inhaled, move to an area with fresh air, and if not breathing, give artificial respiration except when patient has serious inhalation. When having breathing difficulties, provide oxygen. If ingested, do not induce vomiting unless instructed by medical personnel, especially when patient is unconscious. Section 5. Fire and Explosion Data Do not expose to high temperatures. May produce some metallic oxides when ignited. Slightly flammable in some acids or when moist. When ignited, small fires must be put out using dry chemical powder, and for larger fires, use water spray, fog or foam. Can emit toxic fumes under total combustion, such as hydrogen cyanide and other oxides of nitrogen. May explode when mixed with metal cyanides and metal chlorates. Section 6: Accidental Release Measures For small spills, use appropriate tools to contain and dispose. For large spills, stop leak if not risky. Do not let water enter container. Do not touch spilled liquid. Use water spray to reduce toxic vapors. Prevent entry into sewerage, waterways, or confined areas. Eliminate all possible sources of ignition. Call for assistance on disposal. Section 7: Handling and Storage Keep container tightly closed, locked up in a cool, dry place away from any sources of ignition. Evaporate all residues from containers under a fume hood. Never add water to product. Keep areas of use well-ventilated, and wear suitable equipment for protection. In case of contact or ingestion, perform first aid immediately and seek prompt medical help. Section 8: Exposure Controls/Personal Protection Engineering controls: keep airborne levels below recommended exposure limits. Personal protection: use splash goggles, synthetic apron, vapor and dust ventilator, gloves. In case of large spill: use splash goggles, full suit, vapor and dust ventilator, boots, gloves, self-contained breathing apparatus. Exposure limits: 4.7-5(mg/m3), may be variable depending on region. Section 9: Physical and Chemical Properties White solid, has faint almond-like odor, emits hydrogen cyanide (HCN) when moist, molecular weight= 49.01g/mole, BP=1496°C/2724°F, MP=563°C/1045.4°F, Specific gravity=1.595, Vapor density of HCN gas=0.941, Soluble in cold water, slightly soluble in ethanol. Section 10: Stability and Reactivity Data Sodium cyanide is stable unless in the presence of excess heat, moisture, and other incompatible chemicals. Highly-reactive to oxidizing agents, acids and moisture. Corrosive on aluminum. May react with CO2 or other acid salts to form HN. Section 11: Toxicological Information Can be absorbed through dermal and eye contact, inhalation and ingestion. Can damage skin, eyes, central nervous system (CNS). May be fatal under excessive exposure. Lethal doses= 6.44mg/kg for rats when ingested, 10.4mg/kg for rabbits under skin contact. Toxic effects on humans include asphyxiation, headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea, confusion, agitation, tremors, fatigue, insomnia, memory loss, palpitations, dermatitis, eye irritation. Section 12: Ecological Information No short-term degradation products, but long-term ones may arise. Degraded products are less toxic than actual chemical. Section 13: Transport Information Class 6.1: Poisonous material. Provisions: Marine Pollutant. 3. Discuss the exposure media, pathways, and routes associated with this chemical release. The chemical spill in the Tisza River became rapid after the sludge fell into the small rivulets that drain into larger bodies of water, until finally being collected by the Tisza River. The mining company most likely used sodium cyanide, a form of cyanide often used in mining gold and silver, and readily dissolves in water, which added to the rapid release of cyanide into the rivers. Due to the rapid flow of the river combined with the heavy rains and thawing snow, it only took up to around 12 hours for the chemical spill to fully spread into the Tisza River, and another 14 days to reach rivers running through Ukraine, Slovakia, and Hungary (Marmorat, 2008). It is also possible that not only the wildlife living in the river were affected, as other creatures such as water birds may also ingest cyanide-contaminated aquatic animals from the river, thus extending the effects of the chemical spill elsewhere (Harper, 2005). Since the Tisza River also empties into the larger Danube River which flows outward to the Black Sea, the chemical spill could further spread downstream, affecting other smaller inlets along the way. Basically any stream or river connected to the Tisza in some way is expected to become contaminated, with the levels of contamination increasing downstream and outward into to the delta, and that coming into direct contact into the river could introduce cyanide into the body, as well as indirect contact through ingestion of contaminated fish from the river. 4. Discuss the target organs that may be impacted by this exposure. The most vulnerable organs to NaCN exposure are the skin, the nasal passages and the lungs, and the eyes, and the cyanide component of the chemical is easily absorbed through the blood and nervous system through the said organs, causing non-absorption of oxygen by inhibiting cytochrome c oxidase in the electron transport system (ETS) (National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme, NICNAS, 2010). Cyanide is converted into thiocyanate (SCN-) which is inert and does not revert back to cyanide, thus when entering the bloodstream it becomes easily absorbed by internal organs such as the kidneys and the liver. Continuous exposure to lethal doses of NaCN, ranging from 2.7-8mg/kg body weight for ingested dosage and 14.6mg/kg body weight for dermal exposure could lead to the accumulation of the chemical into the brain, the blood, the liver and lungs, destroying these organs in the process by creating lesions and inhibiting neural processes in the CNS (NICNAS, 2010). Further metabolism of SCN- could lead to other cyanide intermediates, and its high affinity with metals could further affect other metabolic processes such as cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) catabolism and hemoglobin generation. (NICNAS, 2010). It is possible to excrete up to 47% of the total absorbed cyanide, mostly in the metabolized form of SCN-, but would still remain long enough to cause serious damages to internal organs due to lack of oxygen. 5. Discuss each of the major categories of factors potentially influencing human response to cyanide. Nature of toxic chemical – NaCN is a white, solid salt commonly used as a chemical intermediate for industrial purposes (NICNAS, 2010). It is highly reactive to moisture, acids and fumes, and could easily release hydrogen cyanide gas (HCN) upon exposure to these chemicals. NaCN is easily absorbed by other chemicals due to it readily reacting with acids or acidic fumes, water or moisture, to alkali metals or any metals to form complexes with variable strengths. Exposure Characteristics – Doses are proportional to the extent of the damaging effects to organs (NICNAS, 2010). Exposure routes can either be through dermal and eye contact, as well as through mucous membranes such as the nose, the lungs, and the stomach. High rates of humidity could affect skin absorption and inhalation rates. The body can absorb as much as 72% of total NaCN, and the rapid effects of exposure prove that the chemical is readily absorbed and stored into the body (NICNAS, 2010). Individual Susceptibility – Susceptibility to the chemical is inversely proportional to the body mass and age of individuals, wherein the younger and smaller the body mass is, the more is absorbs the chemical easily into the body (NICNAS, 2010). Gender, nutritional and hormonal status, genetics, immunological status, and anatomical variability were not observed to have any effects on the absorption rates of NaCN since it is readily absorbed by the body regardless of state. Hazard controls – It is highly recommended that safe work practices be done when handling the chemical, such as the use of personal protective equipment like gloves, eye goggles, vapor and dust ventilators, masks or self-contained breathing apparatuses, inert chemical aprons, boots, or body suit (Science Lab, 2005). Also, dust generated from the use of the chemical must be minimized to prevent inhalation, as well as to reduce airborne levels below minimal limits. Adequate ventilation must be used when handling to avoid inhalation and the concentration of toxic and flammable vapors. Medical Intervention – Exposure to the chemical may feel like a burning sensation, and could cause lesions on skin, eyes, the airways, and the lungs. First aid must be immediately given after exposure to chemical. Flushing of water continuously on the affected area must be done for at least 15 minutes, after which prompt medical attention must be sought to prevent further absorption of the NaCN into the skin, the eyes, the respiratory system, the bloodstream, and the nervous system (Science Lab, 2005). 6. Discuss this incident in regards to the Total Human Exposure Model. The chemical spillage in the Tisza River can be explained using the total human exposure model, which shows the pathways by which humans can become exposed to chemicals, as well as ways on how these can enter the body (Asante-Duah, 2002). First, the chemical spill from the mining compound in Baia Mare can be considered to be an environmental chemical release, which introduced the chemical into the human environment, which are the towns and villages situated near the river. Next, the people living near the river can become exposed to the cyanide when the water supply becomes contaminated or if they ingest fish or aquatic organisms from the river, which were already contaminated with cyanide. The people could also have dermal exposures when having direct contact with the river itself, which is basically an exposure through environmental materials. Thus, the people living near the Tisza River could get exposed to cyanide through both an ingestion exposure through contaminated water or food, and a dermal exposure from directly touching the contaminated river. Lastly, the levels of cyanide present in their bodies can be measured through biomarkers in blood or urine tests to measure SCN- levels or other metabolized forms of cyanide in the body - (NICNAS, 2010). Thus, in the Romanian cyanide spill incident, the entry of environmental contaminants into the human environment exposes humans to chemicals either through ingestion or dermal contact, and the levels of exposure to cyanide can be measured through biomarker concentrations in the blood and urine. References Asante-Duah, K. (2002). Public health risk assessment for human exposure to chemicals. Norwell, MA: Kluwer Academic Publishers Harper, K. (2005). "Wild capitalism" and "ecocolonialism": a tale of two rivers. American Anthropologist, 107(2):221-233. Kovac, C. (2000). Cyanide spill threatens health in Hungary. British Medical Journal, 320(7234):536. Marmorat, M. (2008). Health and Environment Reports No. 1 - The Baia Mare Cyanide Spill, Romania 2000. Paris: Institut Francais des Relations Internationales. National Industrial Chemicals Notification and Assessment Scheme. (2010). Sodium Cyanide - Priority Existing Chemical Assessment Report No. 31. Sydney: Department of Health and Ageing. Science Lab. (2005, October 11). Material Safety Data Sheet - Sodium Cyanide. Retrieved from Science Lab.com Chemicals & Laboratory Equipment: www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9927711 Read More