AsianFin -- Recent concerns have emerged following the detection of abnormal thallium concentrations in the Leishui River in Hunan.

On the morning of March 25th, the Hunan Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment reported the emergency response to thallium pollution in the Chenzhou-Leiyang section of the Leishui River and confirmed the pollution source.

On March 16th, at 8:00 PM, abnormal thallium concentrations were detected by an automatic water quality monitoring station at the Dahentan section of the Leishui River, spanning Chenzhou and Hengyang cities. Thallium, a toxic heavy metal, is a colorless and odorless crystalline substance. Following the discovery, emergency responses were initiated by Chenzhou and Leiyang cities, organizing sampling and monitoring across the entire Leishui River Basin and conducting a source investigation.

Upon verification, it was determined that the pollution source was the Liangtian Cement Factory in Suixian District, Chenzhou. The main cause of the incident was the leakage of thallium-laden dust from the kiln during the recent dismantling of the factory’s old production line. Rainwater washed the thallium dust from the kiln and led it into the surrounding water systems through drainage outlets.