Authorities reported the containment of a fire in the port of Tuapse amid calls for school closures.

The open fire in the port of Tuapse has been extinguished, the Kuban task force reported on the evening of April 23. Residents of Tuapse called on authorities to switch all schoolchildren to distance learning. Children are especially vulnerable to the effects of toxins released into the atmosphere after the oil fire, the scientist noted.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," a fire broke out at the oil terminal in the port of Tuapse following a drone attack on the night of April 20. On the evening of April 20, local residents reported that "oil rain" had fallen in the city. Environmentalists warned that the "oil rain" and smoke from the fire at the oil depot posed a health hazard, while Tuapse residents themselves called the situation in the city an environmental disaster. Residents fear new attacks and consider the burning oil terminal a source of environmental threat.

The open fire at the Tuapse sea terminal has been extinguished, the Kuban Emergency Response Center announced late in the evening on April 23.

According to authorities, during the day on April 23, the fire's size "reduced by half," and by a factor of four compared to the situation on April 20. Around midnight, the emergency response center announced that the fire had been contained, but efforts to completely extinguish the fire were ongoing.

In Tuapse, on the recommendation of Rospotrebnadzor, only three children's educational institutions located near the sea terminal were closed: kindergartens No. 22 and No. 25, and school No. 3, for whose students the school year has already been extended. The remaining schools continue to operate as usual, without switching to distance learning, which has caused outrage and confusion among residents.

Residents are posting calls for schoolchildren to switch to distance learning, particularly in the "My Tuapse" community.

"Why do children need to go to school? Education is certainly important, but it should not be put above health and safety. I urge you to pay attention to the current situation and consider temporarily switching to distance learning until all consequences of the emergency are resolved and the safety of children is ensured," reads an open letter to the administration, published late in the evening on April 23.

Igor Shkradyuk, coordinator of the Industrial Greening Program at the Wildlife Conservation Center, previously noted that the "oil rain" contains highly toxic compounds—benzene and its derivatives—toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene. "Benzene, which is classified as a class I carcinogen, can cause leukemia even in small doses with chronic exposure. Ethylbenzene is also carcinogenic. Toluene is a neurotoxin that damages the liver and kidneys, while xylene irritates the respiratory tract,” he said.

Expert names health risks after “oil rain”

The World Health Organization has officially confirmed that oil fires release toxic hydrocarbons, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen compounds, and that a mixture of rain and these pollutants can cause chemical burns and lung damage, noted a Russian scientist who spoke to the “Caucasian Knot” on condition of anonymity.

In addition to the aforementioned toxic compounds, “oil rain” can contain acetone, methylene chloride, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen sulfide, fine particles, and heavy metals, the expert noted.

The main danger to people is inhaling polluted air and aerosols, but contact with rain Rainwater also carries risks. "Toxic impurities in this rainwater are absorbed by the skin and enter the bloodstream of humans and animals. For humans, the effects of respiratory irritation include, first and foremost, coughing, shortness of breath, exacerbation of bronchitis and asthma, skin and eye irritation, and, in rare cases, chemical burns. Other consequences include headache, dizziness, weakness, possible gastrointestinal problems, and nausea. This was observed, for example, in Kuwait, when extinguishing a well. The soldiers who were involved in this work experienced all these effects; it's been documented," the scientist said.

Inhaling fine particles can damage lung tissue. "They penetrate the alveoli, causing oxidative stress and inflammation. It must be said that these microparticles are very poorly eliminated from the body, or not eliminated at all, and this, among other things, makes them very dangerous. "They can also cause lung cancer, among other things," he emphasized.

Among the long-term effects, he mentioned the risk of cancer. "Furthermore, the risk of cardiovascular disease increases—this was very clearly demonstrated in the study of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, a story that has been thoroughly studied from all angles. Furthermore, it has been medically established that workers who cleaned up the aftermath of that disaster showed elevated levels of biomarkers for cardiac disease. Drinking water contamination with heavy metals and hydrocarbons also carries a risk of gastrointestinal disorders," the specialist noted.

He confirmed that children are at increased risk from such air and soil pollution. "Children, especially young children, have a higher respiratory rate and immature detoxification systems. A strong adult body can fight toxins much more easily than a child's body. "Older people are at risk, of course, due to weakened immunity and chronic illnesses. Furthermore, pregnant women are at direct risk to fetal development when exposed to these toxic substances," the scientist stated.