Missing toxic parcel recovered
Thursday, 1 July 2010
A PARCEL containing a toxic substance which was lost in Carrickfergus on Tuesday has been handed in to police.
The package, containing 2.5 litres of methanol, was being delivered to a forensic science lab at the town's Sea Park when it fell from a vehicle some time around noon.
Methanol can be highly toxic to humans either by ingestion, inhalation or absorption and can cause blindness or death.
Questions have been asked after a package containing a highly toxic chemical was lost during delivery to the Northern Ireland Forensic Science laboratory.
A PSNI spokeswoman said the police searches of the delivery route had proved unsuccessful. However an unopened bottle of methanol was handed in to police just before 8pm Wednesday night.
A full investigation into the incident is under way.
Alliance Carrickfergus Councillor Stewart Dickson has expressed his relief following the news that a parcel containing the toxic chemical methanol that went missing in transit to the Forensic Science Laboratory in Carrickfergus, has been recovered.
Cllr Stewart Dickson: "I am glad that this toxic parcel was recovered so quickly and I must congratulate the member of the public who handed it in and who did not take any risks in opening it. The fact that it was not discovered by a child is also a welcome relief."
“Following this incident, the Forensic Laboratory must urgently carry out a review of how it transports items to avoid further mishaps.
“I am however disappointed that the PSNI did not contact me as chair of the local DPP. I have a concern that if the PSNI do not keep the DPP informed then it will be hard for it function effectively."
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