Hazmat team called in after mercury spill at courier company in Penang

 Five affected workers were taken to Penang Hospital for checks and further treatment.

Penang fire and rescue department operations division director John Sagun Francis said 500ml of mercury had spilled from a package during the sorting process at the courier company in George Town. (JBPM pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Five workers of a Penang courier and logistics company were treated for mercury exposure today.

This happened after a package was damaged during the sorting process at the company’s premises along Jalan Terengganu, George Town, around 1pm today, Bernama reported.

Penang fire and rescue department operations division director John Sagun Francis said a team from the Jalan Perak fire and rescue station was dispatched to the location.

He said 500ml of mercury had spilled from a package.

The hazardous materials unit (Hazmat) team was mobilised to conduct control and decontamination operations.

John said the operation ended two hours later and no other hazardous materials were detected at the location.

Three men and two women, aged 20 to 45, were given first aid at the site and then taken to Penang Hospital for checks and further treatment. They were reported to be in safe condition, John added. - FMT