The Sakai Municipal Government in Osaka Prefecture has been forced to close a local park after finding levels of hexavalent chromium compound 460 times higher than the environmental standard in the soil.

Cyanide exceeding the standard was also found in Namimatsu Park, in the city's Sakai Ward, municipal officials said.

Touching hexavalent chromium solution or inhaling its vaporized form can cause skin irritations, and contact with cyanide can cause headaches and dizziness.