The Environmental Protection Agency has said it is investigating the presence of cyanide(a poisonous substance) in water bodies due to illegal mining at Aboso in the Western Region following the arrest of illegal miners.
Four illegal miners who are suspected of using cyanide and other toxins in their operations were arrested by Anti Galamsey taskforce, Operation Guard. This comes after the taskforce arrested seven Chinese and 20 local galamsey operators in the Central Region on Tuesday.
The EPA after inspecting the mining site sensed that water bodies in the area may be polluted by the toxic substances which could pose a risk for the entire town.
The senior program officer at EPA, Moses Musah Kpebu narrated :"As we got to the site yesterday, we realized that we could even smell the cyanide.The cyanide fumes are more pronounced when the weather gets cold. So when we got there in the evening, we could smell it"
Mr Kpebu however revealed that samples of the substance seized from the miners have been taken for further laboratory tests.
"We've taken the samples to the lab for analysis; the slurry and the solution, and other chemicals that were detected", he said.
He also assured that the agency would embark on further investigations to ensure that residents are safe per the dangerous nature of the substance.
He however expressed worry and cautioned residents to pay attention to their sources of water.
"Cyanide kills instantly. You can be killed in five minutes when you ingest it so we are very particular about cyanide and when it gets into water bodies, it can kill a whole village in just second" he warned.