The Red Sea of Japan
The Apocalypse is Coming!
A sea port in Japan has turned to blood, a sign of the coming Apocalypse. Or is it? Residents in Nago, Okinawa, awakened Tuesday to find an area of normally pristine blue water had turned a horrifying, “gruesome” shade of red.
The Brewery, owned by Orion Breweries, sprung a leak. According to the beer factory, a coolant used to maintain the temperature of brewing equipment leaked into a neighboring river and then later into seawater.
The waters off Nago, famous for its beach resorts and crystal blue waters, were colored a deep crimson, according to footage broadcast on local media.
“We believe it was caused by the leakage of propylene glycol — a food additive listed in enforcement regulations of the Food Sanitation Act — contained in cooling water used to cool our factory facilities,” Orion Breweries said.
Due to the seawater being reported to be crimson, the propylene glycol must have been dyed red. If red-dyed propylene glycol is mixed with seawater, the resulting solution will contain the red dye dispersed throughout the propylene glycol-water-seawater mixture. The dye will give the solution a red color.
Seawater is a complex mixture of water, salts, minerals, organic matter, and marine life. When propylene glycol and red dye are added to seawater, they mix with the water and become incorporated into the solution. The propylene glycol will retain its ability to mix with water, and the dye will disperse throughout the mixture, tinting it red.
It’s important to note that the specific properties of seawater, such as its salinity, pH, and the presence of other dissolved substances, may interact with the dye or the propylene glycol. This interaction could potentially affect the intensity or stability of the red color. This could explain the phenomenon’s “gruesome” and apocalyptic labels.
Fortunately, the company managed to stop the leak by 9:30 a.m. local time and promised to prevent further leaks. Additionally, Orion expressed regret for “the inconvenience and concern we have caused to nearby residents and other parties.”
The Okinawa Times newspaper cited an unnamed local health official saying that “no major impact on the environment” was expected from the leak. Propylene glycol is “generally recognized as safe,” according to the U.S. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
Propylene glycol is generally considered to have low toxicity to marine life when present in low concentrations. It is used in various industries and products, including antifreeze, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage applications. However, it’s important to note that the impact of propylene glycol on marine life can vary depending on factors such as the concentration, duration of exposure, and specific species involved.
In controlled laboratory studies, propylene glycol has been found to have low acute toxicity to marine organisms, including fish, crustaceans, and algae. However, higher concentrations or prolonged exposure to propylene glycol may have adverse effects on marine organisms.
It’s worth noting that when propylene glycol is used in products like antifreeze, it is typically mixed with other chemicals, such as ethylene glycol or corrosion inhibitors, which can have more significant toxicity to marine life. This raises the question. Was propylene glycol mixed with any other chemical and what was its concentration? It’s crucial to use and dispose of products containing propylene glycol or any other chemicals responsibly, following the guidelines and regulations provided by local authorities.
To minimize potential risks to marine life, it is generally recommended to prevent the direct release of propylene glycol or its products into natural bodies of water. Proper disposal methods, such as recycling or appropriate treatment at authorized facilities, should be followed to avoid environmental contamination.
As with any substance, it is important to consider the potential impact on the environment and consult relevant studies, regulations, and expert advice to ensure the responsible use and handling of propylene glycol and its products in marine environments.
