WATER CONTAMINATION
SCENARIOS 797, 05
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Toxins Contaminate Toledo Water
Toxins, either from algae formed on Lake Erie or released during fracking, have contaminated the water supply of Toledo, Ohio’s fourth-largest city, forcing the governor to declare a state of emergency and the officials to warn residents not to drink the water.
Residents have been warned not to cook using tap water or use the contaminated water for bathing children. They have also been told not to boil the tap water because it will only increase the toxin’s concentration.
“The city advised about 400,000 residents in Toledo, most of its suburbs and a few areas in southeastern Michigan not to brush their teeth with or boil the water because that would only increase the toxin’s concentration. The mayor also warned that children should not shower or bathe in the water and that it shouldn’t be given to pets,” said a report.
“We don’t really want to speculate on this,” Gov Kasich told the AP. “When it comes to this water, we’ve got be very careful.”
“What’s more important than water? Water’s about life,” he said. “We know it’s difficult. We know it’s frustrating.”
“The state emergency operations center has been activated in response to the water contamination issue affecting the Toledo area,” said Ohio EMA.
Stores in Toledo area have run out of bottled water as residents rushed to stock up supplies.
“These organisms are capable of producing a number of toxins that may pose a risk to human and animal health,” officials said in a press release.
Consuming the contaminated water could result in nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and other health problems.
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