A cat has caused panic and fear among residents of a Japanese city after it fell into a container containing toxic chemicals that can cause cancer and then disappeared, prompting authorities to take action and declare a state of maximum alert. The cat fell into a container with hazardous materials at a metal painting factory in Fukuyama, Hiroshima Prefecture, and has not been found yet, according to CNN.
Surveillance cameras captured the pet as it left the Nomura Miki Fukuyama metal painting factory on Sunday evening. A worker later saw dark yellow paw prints moving away from a container containing a deadly substance. Akihiro Kobayashi, the factory manager, stated that the cover for the chemical container was found partially torn when employees returned to work after the weekend. He also mentioned that workers at the factory must wear masks and rubber gloves when handling the material.
A representative from the Fukuyama City Council said search operations in the neighborhoods have yet to find the cat, and it remains unclear whether it is still alive. The medical team in Fukuyama urged people to "report any cat with deformities to city officials or the police," emphasizing the need to never touch it. Moreover, educational authorities instructed local elementary school students not to approach any cats that appear sick or abnormal.
Experts are skeptical about the cat's ability to survive for long after coming into contact with the toxic substance. Linda Schenk, a researcher specializing in chemical risk assessment at the Karolinska Institute in Sweden, stated, "I believe the cat has unfortunately died or will die soon due to chemical burns."
It is noteworthy that Chromium-6 can cause skin rashes and irritation, eye and skin damage, as well as lung cancer if inhaled. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) mentioned on its website that "workers may be harmed by exposure to hexavalent chromium, and the level of exposure depends on the dose, duration, and the ongoing work." Additionally, ingesting the substance can lead to abdominal pain, diarrhea, heart failure, along with damage to the intestines, liver, and kidneys, and may ultimately result in death, according to the British Health Security Agency responsible for public health protection in the UK.
