The Provincial Delegation of Hydraulic Resources in Santiago de Cuba issued an urgent warning on Monday regarding the illegal sale of a substance called "alum." This product is being peddled on the streets as a supposed water purifier, despite posing significant health hazards.
"We caution all residents of Santiago de Cuba against purchasing the product known as ‘alum,’ which is being illicitly marketed on the streets. This substance poses a severe health risk," declared the statement released by the entity on social media.
This alert follows the tragic deaths of two employees from the University of Santiago de Cuba who consumed "alum," which was actually an industrial bleach stolen from Mar Verde warehouses, according to the official Communication Assembly Santiago Cuba's social media profile.
The announcement has sparked outrage among Santiago locals, who criticize that the poor quality and scarcity of water delivered to their homes have forced them to seek alternative methods to make it consumable.
In a post shared by communicator Yosmany Mayeta Labrada, dozens of individuals held the Cuban government accountable for the dire situation. "Whose fault is it that we've been risking our lives buying alum for over two months to clear water that should already be filtered?" one user wrote. Another user remarked, "If clear water was provided, there'd be no need to buy alum."
User I. Nodarse, who stated she was not from Santiago, inquired about the product, while others identified it as a type of phosphate or industrial bleach used by some to "clarify water," unaware of its toxic consequences.
The use of "alum" has become widespread in Santiago amid the potable water supply crisis, with the liquid arriving through the pipes appearing murky, and the absence of purification products in pharmacies and markets.
"People are purchasing anything to clear the water. Here the water arrives dirty, with an odor, and children are getting sick. The government, not the people, is to blame," wrote Dennis Oliva, another Santiago resident.
Numerous users have condemned the lack of state oversight and the black market, which allows unscrupulous vendors to sell chemical substances unfit for human consumption. "People sell their souls to the devil for money. They don't care who they harm. When they're caught, they should be made to consume it themselves," wrote Zoila Paumier in a fiercely angry comment.
Although Hydraulic Resources warned of the product's dangers, it did not specify the chemical composition or the symptoms its consumption could cause.
Alum, chemically known as potassium aluminum sulfate (KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O), is typically used as a coagulant in water treatment. Its role is to aggregate and settle suspended particles to clarify the liquid before consumption, but it is not meant for disinfection and should not be ingested directly.
Health Risks and Water Crisis in Santiago
What are the dangers of using illegal "alum" sold in Santiago?
The illegal "alum" being sold is actually an industrial bleach that can pose severe health risks if consumed. It is not a safe water purifier and can lead to serious health issues or even death.
Why are Santiago residents resorting to using "alum"?
Residents are turning to "alum" due to the poor quality and scarcity of water provided to their homes. With water arriving murky and lacking purification products in stores, they seek alternatives to make it drinkable.
What is the chemical composition of "alum"?
"Alum" is chemically known as potassium aluminum sulfate (KAl(SO₄)₂·12H₂O). It is used as a coagulant in water treatment to clarify liquids but should not be ingested.