City officials have implemented a comprehensive clean-up plan after a truck loaded with 14 tons of highly carcinogenic Cadmium Oxide overturned on a freeway in Shenzhen, a city in South China, on Thursday morning.

Local police say the accident occurred at about 6:00 am and more than 400 steel containers fell off the truck.

Each container held 33 kilograms of the hyper toxic substance but only a few have leaked and the spill has not exceed the pavement of the highway.

Cadmium Oxide is a dark brown, odorless powder that is normally handled with extreme caution. It can irritate the eyes, nose and lungs and is a probable cancer causing agent. It is used to make batteries.

The police did not know they were dealing with a toxic substance until 4:00 pm when a passerby was able to identify the substance.

The police immediately alerted the Shenzhen city government which sent emergency crews to begin the clean up.

Environmental protection personnel said there will be a three stage clean up.

First the undamaged containers will be removed. Then engineers and rescue personnel will secure the leaking containers and the spilled Cadmium Oxide will be vacuumed off the road. Finally, the road will be washed and the contaminated water will be contained.

All of the toxic waste will be stored in a warehouse for dangerous articles.

It was unclear at this time where the waste originated and police are still questioning the truck driver.

(Xinhua News Agency May 6, 2006)