Deadly cyanide at Tianjin blast site

Shi Luze, regional chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army, gave the first official confirmation Sunday that highly poisonous cyanide had been detected at two locations in the blast zone.

"The volume was about several hundreds of tons according to preliminary estimates," he told reporters, adding that specialists were working to clear the area of chemicals before possible rain showers.

Earlier, Chinese media had reported that around 700 tons of sodium cyanide were at the site. The chemical forms flammable gas upon contact with water and can be fatal when ingested.

Nearly 100 people, including dozens of firefighters, are still missing after a series of explosions sent fireballs into the sky and devastated the hazardous goods storage facility in northern Tianjin on Wednesday. At least 720 people have been hospitalized.

Fresh explosions and fires around the industrial site on Saturday sparked fears of toxic contamination, prompting evacuations of residential complexes in the vicinity.

'Safe to breathe'

A military team of more than 200 chemical experts was deployed, and authorities have repeatedly insisted that the air in Tianjin remains safe to breathe.

"We can say with responsibility the air quality meets standards," Shi said.

Environmental group Greenpeace said Sunday it had tested surface water for cyanide at four locations in the city and had not detected high levels of the chemical.

"These results show that local water supplies are not currently severely contaminated with cyanide," it said, but pointed out that it did not have information about what other dangerous chemicals may be in the water.

Greenpeace also called for a comprehensive survey of hazardous substances in the air and water and for the results to be made public.

Kept in the dark

Local residents and victims' families have criticized authorities for what they describe as a lack of transparency. About 100 people from a residential area near the blast site held a protest outside a hotel where a government press briefing was underway.

Many were angry that dangerous chemicals had been stored near their homes. Under Chinese regulations, warehouses stocking hazardous goods must be at least 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from surrounding homes, public structures and main roads.

Following the outcry, the government moved to suspend or shut down dozens of websites on grounds they were "creating panic" and "spreading rumors." More than 360 social media accounts were also blocked.

The "China Daily" newspaper said some of the censored content included reports of looting, toxic gases blowing toward Beijing, about 120 kilometers (75 miles) from Tianjin, and warnings to wash skin and rinse umbrellas.

nm/bk (Reuters, AFP, AP)