A multi-ton barge carrying toxic methanol sank in the USA
The incident took place at the McAlpine Dam in Louisville, Kentucky. The state authorities have closed the floodgates, and nearby residents are wondering if the methanol has managed to get into the water that is now coming from the tap.
On March 28, 11 ships were being towed in the United States, ten of them broke away from the tugboat. One of them crashed into a dam and began to sink. She has 1,400 tons of methanol on board, and she managed to partially submerge under water.
To prevent leakage of toxic material, the lock chambers at the dam were closed. It is reported that they will remain closed until the consequences of this state of emergency are eliminated, and the barges will not be brought back to normal.
According to the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, the nearest Ohio River intake from the affected dam is in Henderson, Kentucky, more than 100 miles from Louisville (over 160.9 km).
“This will not affect water intake or water quality in any way,” the utility company tweeted in an attempt to reassure users. “Your water is safe to drink,” the utilities assure. Meanwhile, the National Institutes of Health warns that methanol vapor buildup in confined spaces can be explosive if ignited.
