Inspecting the site: Hazmat personnel at the scene in Pasir Gudang.
PASIR GUDANG: The state government has activated a scientific committee to carry out investigations and identify the main cause of the latest air pollution incident.
State Local Government, Urban Wellbeing and Environment Committee chairman Tan Chen Choon said Sekolah Agama Taman Mawar had complained of a strong stench in the area three days earlier.
“During the incident on Thursday, the Fire and Rescue Department, including its Hazardous Material Unit (Hazmat) and its Emergency Medical Rescue Service, Department of Environment (DoE) and other agencies were deployed to the scene immediately.
“But inspections by Hazmat and DoE showed zero reading for carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulphide and volatile organic compound while oxygen reading was at 21.2 parts per million, which means it is normal and under control.”
Tan said Hazmat could not detect any odour, believed to be liquefied petroleum gas, at the location.
“The DoE and Hazmat teams will continue to monitor the air quality for every four hours at the school and surrounding areas within a 2km radius,” he said.
State Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar said the authorities opened an operation centre at the Pasir Gudang Indoor Stadium.
“This incident is not related to Sungai Kim Kim because the school is located some 6km away.
“So far, the DoE also did not find any illegal dumping sites,” he said.
Mohd Khuzzan said out of the 15 victims, only six of them were warded at Hospital Sultan Ismail for further checks.
“All are in a stable condition,” he said, adding that if there were no new cases, the authorities would make a decision today.
In a Facebook post, MCA president Datuk Seri Dr Wee Ka Siong urged parents, students and the public to be vigilant and follow the instructions of the authorities.
“The authorities should handle this latest incident swiftly and effectively. The Sungai Kim Kim incident should serve as a lesson.
“It is important to bring those responsible to justice and make sure it does not happen again. We do not want public health to be put at risk and children to become victims,” he said.
The latest air pollution incident saw 15 people, including 13 students from the religious school, being rushed to the hospital after suffering breathing difficulties and vomiting.In March, toxic pollution in Sungai Kim Kim resulted in more than 4,000 people falling ill, which also saw the temporary closure of 111 schools in Pasir Gudang district.- Star
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