Harbin Water Company executive, "We hope citizens can take time to hoard as much water as possible." Water has been sold out of most stores as is transportation out of Harbin via air or rail. More than 16,000 tons of drinking water are being provided but that is less than the impacted area uses in one day.
The November 13th explosion released high levels of Benzene into the Songhua River which supplies drinking water for 3 million in Harbin, one of the largest cities in China. Water was turned off on November 21st due to "water main repairs". On November 22, the media reported that the water may have been shut off due to fears of contamination from the explosio. The following day officials confirmed that the Songhua river was polluted with Benzene.
The nine million residents of Harbin have been warned to avoid so as to limit exposure to possible airborne contaminants. Benzene is distilled from petroleum, is colorless, non-water soluble, flammable and a known carcinogen. It is linked to health problems ranging from oral festering to the degeneration of bone marrow and leukemia.
Yangcheng Wangbao, a Chinese newspaper, worries that if the residents of Harbin question officials it will lead to "enormous hidden dangers in the subsequent handling of this case."
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