Warden Messages

Chemical Waste (9/13/06)

September 13, 2006

The City of Abidjan has been affected by chemical waste dumping that occurred over a period of several days beginning August 19, 2006.  The waste was off-loaded from a petroleum transport ship at the port, transported overland to several sections of the city, and dumped illegally. 

To date, the known areas where the dumping occurred are:  Route d’Alépé (Abidjan Nord); Route Anyama, N’Dotré (Abidjan Nord); the municipal slaughterhouse of Abobo (Abidjan Nord); Abobo Anador (Abidjan Nord); the waste water treatment center of Plateau Dokoui (Abidjan Nord); the intersection of Bandji Route d’Abobo not far from the HETEC (Abidjan Nord); “décharge” (waste dump) d’Akouédo; Cocody near the Police Academy; near the Vridi mail sorting facility; and the Vridi Canal.

Teams are assessing these sites at this time to determine the specific substances that were discharged and the extent of the contamination.  The substances known to be in the waste were produced from petroleum processing and include hydrogen sulfide, caustic soda, and mercaptans.  These substances are respiratory irritants and can cause severe symptoms and even death at close exposure.  More common symptoms are nausea, tearing, cough, runny nose, sore throat, skin irritation, and shortness of breath.  These symptoms might be worse in persons suffering from respiratory diseases such as asthma.

If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should seek immediate medical care.  The University Hospitals have centers for evaluating persons affected by the chemical dumping.  Local representatives of the Center for Disease Control and the World Health Department are investigating and monitoring the situation.  The U.S. Embassy will provide updates as we obtain verified information.  Below are links to websites that can provide more information on some of the chemicals involved (in French and in English).  You can also access additional information through the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR).  The American Embassy will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available.

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsnfrn/nfrn0360.html

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsnfrn/nfrn0165.html

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/ipcsnfrn/nfrn0165.html

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts114.html

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts139.html

http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/tfacts178.html 

U.S. Embassy in Abidjan is located in the Riviera Golf neighborhood of the Cocody section of Abidjan.  For after-hours emergencies, call (225) 22-49-44-50.