Nine people, including a 10-month-old baby were forced to undergo decontamination after coming into contact with a chemical leaking from a truck in Motueka, South Island, New Zealand, on Wednesday 18 August 2016. The incident happened at about 11.00 am local time, when a liquid was observed leaking from the truck. An area of road 250 m on either side of the vehicle was closed while the spill was contained, with buildings close to the incident evacuated and people in those further away asked to remain indoors with their windows shut. The fluid was identified as hydrogen cyanamide, which is used in agriculture as a growth stimulant.
Road closed due to a chemical spill in Motueka, New Zealand, on Wednesday 18 August 2016. Safia Archer/Motueka Golden Bay Guardian.
Hydrogen Cyanamide is widely used in New Zealand to provoke early spring growth in Kiwi Fruit, Actinidia spp.. It is known to cause a number of ill effects in exposed humans, including nausea, vomiting, headaches, dermatitis and reddening of the skin.
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