Conflicting information about the toxicity of the gas-methyl mercaptan-that leaked and affected areas of Santo Domingo and Haina yesterday varies according to different government institutions. According to the Ministries of Public Health and Industry and Commerce, the gas is non-toxic. However, the National Emergency Commission (CNE) states otherwise. CNE President Luis A. Luna Paulino, indicated that a commission is investigating the cause of the leak.
Listin Diario reports that lung specialist Salvador Martinez Selmo stated that the gas is lightly toxic since it caused bronchial irritation, particularly in people with base complications such as asthma or bronchitis, respiratory difficulties, nausea, throat irritation, vomiting, and conjunctivitis in a large portion of the population that was exposed to it. According to the Ministry of Environment’s Director of Environmental Protection, Manuel Vasquez Tineo, the product is very dense and moves close to the ground. It is also toxic, and exposure to the substance produces somnolence, nausea, tremors, weakness, headaches, loss of consciousness, rash, pain and eye irritation.
Meanwhile, DR1 searched the US Environmental Protection Agency website for information about this gas and found that it “can cause death by respiratory paralysis. It is an eye and respiratory tract irritant. Exposure results in pulmonary edema and hepatic and renal damage (Clayton and Clayton 1981-82, p. 2067)” see http://yosemite.epa.gov/oswer/CeppoEHS.nsf/Profiles/74-93-1?OpenDocument