"Chemical waste storage of a phenol plant in government-controlled Novhorodske caught between positions of the sides only 400m apart," OSCE SMM tweeted with reference to Alexander Hug, the OSCE SMM's Principal Deputy Chief Monitor.
Read alsoOSCE Chair stands for monitors' night hours, Russia MFA doesn't mind arming themHug says that in the worst-case scenario, the entire Donetsk region could be polluted. "A ceasefire and disengagement [are] needed in this area!" he said.
(2/2) Hug: In worst case scenario, entire the Donetsk region could be polluted – ceasefire and disengagement needed in this area!
— OSCE SMM Ukraine (@OSCE_SMM) 22 января 2017 г.
Phenol, also known as carbolic acid, is an important industrial commodity as a precursor to many materials and useful compounds. It is primarily used to synthesize plastics and related materials. Phenol and its chemical derivatives are essential for production of polycarbonates, epoxies, Bakelite, nylon, detergents, herbicides such as phenoxy herbicides, and numerous pharmaceutical drugs.
As UNIAN reported earlier, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office, Austria's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz spoke out for the extension of working hours to the evening and night for the OSCE SMM in Donbas.
