Kerosene spill contaminates a mile of River Taff, residents urged to stay indoors
Residents near Treforest have been told to keep windows shut and avoid the area after a kerosene leak polluted about a mile of the River Taff.
A kerosene spill was detected in the River Taff on Friday, with the odour reported in Glan Y Llyn, Taff's Well, Gwaelod-y-garth and Tongwynlais. Natural Resources Wales, assisted by South Wales Fire and Rescue Service, traced the source to a leak that has contaminated at least one mile of the river and its tributaries downstream of Treforest. The pollutant, identified as kerosene used for home heating, entered the surface-water drainage system and a culvert feeding a tributary.
Responders have deployed fuel-collection equipment to limit further discharge. Residents have been instructed to keep windows and doors shut and avoid the area as a precaution. Health officials note that kerosene exposure can cause respiratory and skin irritation, and advise medical consultation if contact occurs.
Why it matters
The spill threatens local water quality and public health, prompting precautionary measures for nearby communities.
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