Footprints believed to be from a cat that fell into a tank containing toxic hexavalent chromium at the plating factory in Fukuyama, Hiroshima.Photo:HANDOUT/Nomura Plating/AFP via GettyA cat fell into and escaped a toxic and potentially deadly container in Fukuyama, southwestern Japan, on Sunday. The city has since released public health warnings, reportsThe Washington Post,CBS Newsand theBBC.On Sunday night, a Nomura Plating factory worker uncovered a trail of yellow-brown paw prints that were traced back to the toxic container. Later, surveillance footage confirmed the cat escaped the container that held a plating solution containing the acidic carcinogen hexavalent chromium, perJapanese outlet Asahi Shimbun Digital.The 11-foot-tall tank was filled at approximately 70% of its capacity, and a sheet was placed over it, which was then turned over, according to Asahi Shimbun.After the company had discovered the footage, they told local authorities about the missing cat. “The incident woke us up to the need to take measures to prevent small animals like cats from sneaking in, which is something we had never anticipated before,” said a Nomura Plating spokesperson, reports the BBC.According to theU.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration,the toxin can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, lung cancer, and blindness. Additionally, the factory staff is required to wear rubber gloves and masks when working close to the liquid.If people swallow the substance, different symptoms can occur, including heart failure, gut, liver, and kidney damage, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in some cases death, reports Britain’sHealth Security Agency.The toxic chemical is also known as the source of the contamination problem in Hinkley, Calif. This 1952-1996 incident notably inspired the movieErin Brockovich—which starredJulia Roberts.Footprints believed to be from a cat that fell into a tank containing toxic hexavalent chromium at the plating factory in Fukuyama, Hiroshima.HANDOUT/Nomura Plating/AFP via GettyIt is still unclear whether the cat had ingested the substance or is still alive. At the time of this publication, there have been no sightings of the cat.However, public officials announced: “If you find a cat that seems abnormal, please do not touch it and contact the city or police,” reports Asahi Shimbun.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Footprints believed to be from a cat that fell into a tank containing toxic hexavalent chromium at the plating factory in Fukuyama, Hiroshima.Photo:HANDOUT/Nomura Plating/AFP via Getty
HANDOUT/Nomura Plating/AFP via Getty
A cat fell into and escaped a toxic and potentially deadly container in Fukuyama, southwestern Japan, on Sunday. The city has since released public health warnings, reportsThe Washington Post,CBS Newsand theBBC.On Sunday night, a Nomura Plating factory worker uncovered a trail of yellow-brown paw prints that were traced back to the toxic container. Later, surveillance footage confirmed the cat escaped the container that held a plating solution containing the acidic carcinogen hexavalent chromium, perJapanese outlet Asahi Shimbun Digital.The 11-foot-tall tank was filled at approximately 70% of its capacity, and a sheet was placed over it, which was then turned over, according to Asahi Shimbun.After the company had discovered the footage, they told local authorities about the missing cat. “The incident woke us up to the need to take measures to prevent small animals like cats from sneaking in, which is something we had never anticipated before,” said a Nomura Plating spokesperson, reports the BBC.According to theU.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration,the toxin can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, lung cancer, and blindness. Additionally, the factory staff is required to wear rubber gloves and masks when working close to the liquid.If people swallow the substance, different symptoms can occur, including heart failure, gut, liver, and kidney damage, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in some cases death, reports Britain’sHealth Security Agency.The toxic chemical is also known as the source of the contamination problem in Hinkley, Calif. This 1952-1996 incident notably inspired the movieErin Brockovich—which starredJulia Roberts.Footprints believed to be from a cat that fell into a tank containing toxic hexavalent chromium at the plating factory in Fukuyama, Hiroshima.HANDOUT/Nomura Plating/AFP via GettyIt is still unclear whether the cat had ingested the substance or is still alive. At the time of this publication, there have been no sightings of the cat.However, public officials announced: “If you find a cat that seems abnormal, please do not touch it and contact the city or police,” reports Asahi Shimbun.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
A cat fell into and escaped a toxic and potentially deadly container in Fukuyama, southwestern Japan, on Sunday. The city has since released public health warnings, reportsThe Washington Post,CBS Newsand theBBC.
On Sunday night, a Nomura Plating factory worker uncovered a trail of yellow-brown paw prints that were traced back to the toxic container. Later, surveillance footage confirmed the cat escaped the container that held a plating solution containing the acidic carcinogen hexavalent chromium, perJapanese outlet Asahi Shimbun Digital.The 11-foot-tall tank was filled at approximately 70% of its capacity, and a sheet was placed over it, which was then turned over, according to Asahi Shimbun.
After the company had discovered the footage, they told local authorities about the missing cat. “The incident woke us up to the need to take measures to prevent small animals like cats from sneaking in, which is something we had never anticipated before,” said a Nomura Plating spokesperson, reports the BBC.
According to theU.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration,the toxin can cause skin irritation, respiratory problems, lung cancer, and blindness. Additionally, the factory staff is required to wear rubber gloves and masks when working close to the liquid.
If people swallow the substance, different symptoms can occur, including heart failure, gut, liver, and kidney damage, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and in some cases death, reports Britain’sHealth Security Agency.
The toxic chemical is also known as the source of the contamination problem in Hinkley, Calif. This 1952-1996 incident notably inspired the movieErin Brockovich—which starredJulia Roberts.
Footprints believed to be from a cat that fell into a tank containing toxic hexavalent chromium at the plating factory in Fukuyama, Hiroshima.HANDOUT/Nomura Plating/AFP via Getty
It is still unclear whether the cat had ingested the substance or is still alive. At the time of this publication, there have been no sightings of the cat.
However, public officials announced: “If you find a cat that seems abnormal, please do not touch it and contact the city or police,” reports Asahi Shimbun.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
source: people.com
