BASF shuts plant after chem leakage into Rhine

17 October 2008 18:46  [Source: ICIS news]

TORONTO (ICIS news)--BASF has taken offline a plant in its home state of Rhineland Palatine, Germany, after authorites traced high levels of a poisonous biocide found over two weeks in the Rhine river back to the company, officials said on Friday.

 

The leakage of methyl isothiocyanate (MITC) was due to a faulty waste water pipeline, BASF said, adding it was still investigating the incident.

 

It confirmed earlier information from the state's environment ministry, which said the high MITC levels had been traced to BASF's plant.

 

MITC is highly poisonous for water organisms but, due to its low concentration in the Rhine, the leakage did not pose a danger, the ministry said.

 

Drinking water supplies were not expected to be affected, it added.

 

Local media reported that up to 200 kilogrammes of MITC may have been leaked into the Rhine over the past two weeks.

 

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By: Stefan Baumgarten
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