Major incident in West Midlands after sodium cyanide spill into Walsall canal | West Midlands

A major incident has been declared in the West Midlands after sodium cyanide was spilled into a canal, with the Walsall council warning of a potential serious health risk to anyone who has had direct physical contact with the water.

Walsall council said people must avoid an extended area of the canal and towpaths from the Walsall lock flight to the lock flights at Rushall, Ryders Green and Perry Barr.

In a statement, the council said it was notified of a spillage in Pleck by the Environment Agency on 12 August that had gone directly into the canal. The agency was testing the canal water for sodium cyanide and other chemicals in the affected area.

Ingesting cyanide salts, which can dissolve in water, releases cyanide into the body, according to Public Health England. Exposure to the chemical can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, confusion, changes in heart rate and loss of consciousness, according to the agency.

Anyone exposed to the canal water in the affected area and feeling unwell was advised to seek health advice through calling 111 or, in an emergency, 999.

The council added that anyone who had taken fish from the canal should not eat it.

Public Health England’s website says sodium cyanide is used in industry for metal cleaning, plating, extraction and photography.

Garry Perry, leader of Walsall Council, said: “Our priority is the safety of our residents … For your own safety please avoid this area of the canal and its towpaths.”

Multiple agencies including the West Midlands police and fire services, the Canal and Rivers Trust, Severn Trent Water, Walsall and Sandwell councils and the Environment Agency were responding, the council said.