Chinese chemical slick nears Russian city

(CBC) - Authorities have cut water supplies to part of the Russian city of Khaborovsk to protect people from a chemical spill that originated in China.

The toxic slick of benzene was first reported in the Songhua River of neighbouring China in late November.

It's now thought to be in the Amur River, and officials in eastern Russia say it will likely affect the water for the city of 580,000 by Thursday.

About 10,000 people in three southern districts of Khaborovsk woke Wednesday to find notices posted outside their apartment blocks with a list of hazardous chemicals that could end up in the water supply.

The notice warned them not to try to siphon hot water from radiators.

The decision to restrict water was based on tests of the Amur River that showed benzene, but in concentrations within the maximum allowable levels.

About 100 tonnes of benzene were dumped into the Songhua River after a Nov. 13 explosion at a Chinese petrochemicals plant.

Benzene poisoning can cause kidney and liver damage, anemia and other blood disorders. Chronic exposure has been linked to cancer.