Chemical scare in Camps Bay

2009-06-25 14:40

Verashni Pillay

Cape Town – A container carrying potentially harmful chemicals washed up on Camps Bay beach on Thursday afternoon, according to Disaster Risk Management.

The owner of the container, whose name has not been confirmed, has been tasked with removing it, Disaster Risk Management’s Charlotte Powell said.

A crane was on its way and Hazmat teams, the police, disaster risk management staff and the fire department were also on the scene.

Police spokesperson Inspector Bernadine Steyn said it was not a criminal matter and no case had been opened.

According to Powell and News24 users on the scene, the tank contains a form of Cresol, a chemical used to make disinfectants and household cleaners, amongst other things.

While exposure to the chemical at low levels is not harmful, it can cause irritation and pain when breathed, ingested or touched.

- Are you on the scene? Mail your pictures to [e-mail]

- Click here for more information on Cresol.