The United Nations said Friday that destroyed chemical depots and various other dangerous spots in Indonesian Aceh are not likely to pose serious health risks to people.

It was because the chemical compounds were washed away by seawater during Dec. 26 tsunami, said UN public officer Hiro Ueki.

"The waves were so strong that they washed the chemicals away," he said.

The hazardous chemicals included pesticides and transformer oil containing highly toxic PCBs and damaged hospital equipment with radioactive materials, Ueki said.

The conclusion was based on an assessment of quick environmental impact, which was carried out by a UN expert in cooperation with the special environmental task force from the Indonesian Ministry of Environment in the worst tsunami-hit areas of Banda Aceh, the capital city of Aceh province, its surrounding areas and the west coast of the province.

A powerful earthquake and horrified tsunami swept parts of the province on Dec. 26.
 
(Xinhua News Agency February 5, 2005)