China Tianjin blasts: Evacuations as sodium cyanide found
Chinese authorities have ordered the evacuation of residents within a 3km radius of the Tianjin blast site over fears of chemical contamination.
The evacuations came after an apparent change in wind direction, and as police confirmed the highly toxic chemical sodium cyanide was found near the site.
Troops equipped with chemical warfare protection have now entered the site of the blasts.
The People's Daily newspaper tweeted that the specialist troops had been sent to handle the highly toxic sodium cyanide found at the site.
Police said the discovery occurred "roughly east of the blast site" in an industrial zone, according to state-run Beijing News.
What is sodium cyanide?
The chemical sodium cyanide is white crystalline or granular powder which can be rapidly fatal if inhaled or ingested, as it interferes with the body's ability to use oxygen.
It is mostly used in chemical manufacturing, for fumigation and in the mining industry to extract gold and silver.
It is soluble in water, and absorbs water from air, and its dust is also easy to inhale. When dissolved or burned, it releases the highly poisonous gas hydrogen cyanide.
Some fires have continued to smoulder and at least one reignited on Saturday. Xinhua said several cars at the site had "exploded again".
Of the 721 people injured, 25 are in critical condition and 33 are serious.
At least 21 firefighters are among the dead and an unknown number remain missing.
origina post found herhttp://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-33945293
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