Older persons in Staffordshire should beware the cyanide leak

A long stretch of river in Staffordshire has been contaminated with a deadly chemical, and older persons are advised to stay away from the area.


Thirty miles of the River Trent has been polluted with the dangerous chemical cyanide, according to the BBC. Thousands of fish have died as a result.


The news provider reports the length of river that's between Stoke-on-Trent and Yoxall is getting better, as pollution levels are beginning to drop.

The Environment Agency (EA) says the source of the cyanide cannot be disclosed for legal reasons.


"We've had staff working around the clock," said the EA's David Lowe to the BBC of the agency's efforts.


The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that cyanide can sometimes have a "bitter almond" smell, but that many people do not detect it. Prolonged exposure to the chemical can lead to heart and brain damage.


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