West Virginia Chemical Spill Threatens Health of Residents
Numerous people have reported symptoms of illness, as officials issue warning on tap water.

Meanwhile significant new developments this morning in a chemical spill that has forced 300,000 people to stop drinking water out of the taps in their homes overnight, we learnt that more than 700 people have reported symptoms of illness and 70 have gone to the hospital. ABC’s Susie Sony is on the scene in western Virginia, Susie.
Good morning, Dan, a federal investigation is now underway into the chemical spill into the water here which has put life on hold for so many people.
This morning, thousands in West Virginia feeling the effects of Thursday morning’s chemical spill, more than 700 people in the Charleston area have called poison control centers, complaining of nausea, vomiting, headaches and rashes, 70 people went to local hospitals. For the 300,000 area residents, it’s been a frustrating day and a half. Overnight, FEMA trucks bring in more than a million liters of clean water for people to drink, bathe, cook and clean.
I guess it really upsets, because we’re basically just trying to find water, just so we can be able to you know, take a shower, have something to drink.
The crisis began when a toxic chemical used to process coal leaked out of a 48,000 gallon storage tank. The chemical overflowed into the Elk River, just north of a water treatment plant that provides drinking water for the region.
Do not drink it, do not cook with it, do not wash clothes in it, do not take a bath in it.
The advisory set off a run on stores, people emptying shelves of water bottles across the region. But some people still concerned after using the water before the warning.
I brushed my teeth and washed my face with it, so that kind of scares me.
This incident is extremely unfortunate, unanticipated, and we’re very, very sorry for the disruption to everybody’s daily life that this incident has caused.
While the tainted water is not considered deadly some people have had stronger symptoms or reactions to it than others. Residents are still advised to stay away from the water and there’s no word yet on when it will be safe for drinking. Breonna,
It was such a frightening situation, Susanna, thanks to you.