Last year some localities of the state of California suffered from large-scale forest fires, and the town of Paradise was completely destroyed by fire. However, the people of this region are still struggling with the aftermath of this cataclysm. Another unpleasant surprise for them was dangerous carcinogen, which in large quantities contained in tap water.
Scientists took more than 500 analyses in the region affected by the fires. It turned out that 30% of samples contaminated with benzene. Photo: Youtube
The state of California believe that the contamination occurred during the extinguishing of forest fires. The cataclysm created a «toxic gas cocktail,» which got into the water system in a time when firefighters and residents to actively collect water, creating a kind of vacuum in the pipes. In the end, the concentration of benzene began to be destabilized and now this chemical is poisoning people.
Scientists took more than 500 analyses in the region affected by the fires. It turned out that 30% of samples were contaminated with benzene. And a dangerous carcinogen found not only on the territory of the ruined city, but in the other locations. According to experts, the pipeline will be able to partially clear by December, but the total eradication of this problem will need more than 2 years and $300 million.
«It’s incredible. For such a scale none of us were ready,» commented Dan Newton, an employee of the control Committee for water resources of the state of California (WRCB).
Benzene on your site now is home to about 2 thousand people. The authorities warned them about the poisoning, and this means that the water cannot be used for cooking or bathing. Benzene is a highly toxic substance that causes cancer and leukemia.
Unfortunately, not all people believe the experts. Some people believe that the tap system is working properly, and the authorities just want to get more money from the state. However, the danger is very real, experts say, and it is recommended to avoid contaminated water.
