 A river has turned bright green after chemicals used in the making of bath salts were dumped in the water. Shocked residents in the picturesque city of Ikoma in Japan could hardly miss the Tatsuta River's lurid new shade yesterday morning. Environment chiefs immediately launched an investigation and warned people not to use it. They combed the riverbank and found large quantities of sodium fluorescein, which is usually red but turns green when it contacts water. City officials said: 'There were traces of a red substance dumped into the river from the road, and it was recognized that the substance left on the road turned green when water was poured on it. 'It is believed that this caused the river water to become coloured. Sodium fluorescein, the main component of colouring agents used in bath salts, was detected.' They added: 'The Safety Data Sheet for Sodium Fluorescein states that there are no physical or chemical hazards or health hazards. 'In addition to the names and physicochemical properties of chemical substances contained in chemical products, dangers, toxicity, first aid measures in case of exposure, handling methods, storage methods, disposal methods, etc. 'Since the safety of the water was confirmed by the announcement from Nara Prefecture, we have lifted the warning against using water for agricultural purposes.' The colour of the Tatsuta River was reminiscent of the Chicago River, which is famously dyed bright green every St Patrick's Day. That tradition – which, unlike the situation in Japan, is entirely intentional – has been taking place for more than 60 years. In recent years, various environmental mistakes and disasters have turned rivers around the world black, white, blue, purple, yellow and red. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.){kind=link}
NEWS… BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT
A river has turned bright green after chemicals used in the making of bath salts were dumped in the water.
Shocked residents in the picturesque city of Ikoma in Japan could hardly miss the Tatsuta River’s lurid new shade yesterday morning.
Environment chiefs immediately launched an investigation and warned people not to use it.
They combed the riverbank and found large quantities of sodium fluorescein, which is usually red but turns green when it contacts water.