Hommam Al Nassim 
A Japanese city was put on high alert because a cat fell into a container of carcinogenic chemicals and ran away. They are still missing to date.
Japanese authorities have warned that the cat is covered with hexavalent chrome, and residents of Fukuyama should be careful not to touch any “cat that looks unnatural.” He told them to call the police if she was found.
The incident occurred last weekend, when a worker who arrived at the factory discovered a mysterious trace of yellow footprints away from a container containing hexavalent chromium, a highly acidic carcinogen.
Hexavalent chromium can cause health problems ranging from skin irritation and rashes to respiratory problems, to blindness and cancer depending on the severity and duration of exposure, according to Japan’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
The company that owns the plant, according to the Asahi Shimbun, said that factory employees wear masks and rubber gloves when handling the material.
A source at Fukuyama’s Nomura Plating Coating Company told AFP: “We informed the police, Fukuyama City and neighbors near our factory immediately.”
Environmental officials in Fukuyama speculated that the cat may have died as a result of contact with the toxic chemical.
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