Japanese city residents advised against touching cat that fell in chemical tank

Residents of western Japanese town of Fukuyama are on high alert after a cat reportedly fell into toxic chemicals at Nomura Plating's Fukuyama plant.

According to the BBC , the warning message was issued after a factory worker spotted a yellow paw prints with coming out of a chemical container, prompting Fukuyama authorities to urge the public to stay away from the cat and take anything they see do not report to the police.

Safety footage reviewed by authorities saw a cat, leaving behind a footprint, raising concerns they may have been exposed to hexavalent chromium, a highly acidic and cancer-causing chemical with an orange-brown color.

Fukuyama's environmental team warned against approaching any cat exhibiting unusual behaviour. Workers at Nomura Plating's Fukuyama plant initially noticed the waist mark when they arrived for work, news website Asahi reported.

Although the factory had covered the tank with a sheet, it was reported that part of it overturned. The company viewed the incident as an unexpected wake-up call, prompting them to consider ways to prevent small animals from entering sensitive areas. 

Known for skin irritation, respiratory problems and blindness, hexavalent chromium requires protective gear for those working in close quarters. No sightings of the cat have been reported as of Tuesday, leaving uncertainty about its fate after the potentially dangerous incident.