Authorities are working on tracking down the person or persons responsible for hacking into the Oldsmar (Florida) water treatment plant control system to increase the amount of sodium hydroxide being put in the water, CBS News reports.
On Friday, a worker at the water treatment facilities in Pinellas County watched as an outside actor took control of the worker’s computer’s cursor, changing the amount of sodium hydroxide additive from 100 parts per million to 11,100 ppm. Once the technician realized what was happening, he disconnect the computer and reset the chemical levels before they were dispensed.
Small doses of sodium hydroxide, commonly known as the alkali lye, is safe for human consumption. In water treatment, it is a common additive to reduce pipe corrosion in water distribution systems.
“This is obviously a significant and potentially dangerous increase,” Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said. “Sodium hydroxide, also known as lye, is the main ingredient in liquid drain cleaners.”
Sodium hydroxide can cause vomiting and pain in the chest or stomach. In high enough concentrations, lye can burn tissue and cause severe eye damage.