Illegal dumping turns into a big disaster
PASIR GUDANG: What started as a convenient dumping of
chemicals beneath a bridge in Kota Masai has turned into a disaster with almost
500 people, mainly children, treated for respiratory ailments.
The chemicals, believed to contain heavy metal used to dissolve
metal at a scrapyard and a chemical factory in Kulai, were discharged into
Sungai Kim Kim about a week ago.
Since then, there have been three waves of air pollution as the
chemicals got washed downstream towards the Straits of Johor.
It is learnt that there are at least seven schools located along
the river.
The latest incident occurred yesterday where 260 people,
including students from the two Tanjung Puteri Resort schools, were rushed to
hospital with breathing difficulties.
Three people were arrested on Sunday and Monday in connection
with the case.
Fishermen in the area are claiming that the thick sludge in the
water is causing their boat engines to fail and they have to row their boats
out to sea.
Meanwhile, state Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee
chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said that the matter was getting from bad to worse.
It is learnt that the National Disaster Management Agency has
taken over the handling of the situation at Sungai Kim Kim.
SK Tanjung Puteri Resort headmaster Mohd Asri Abdul Kadir said
strong winds blew the hazardous gas into the school, causing many students to
suffer breathing difficulties.
“In the 10am incident, four schoolchildren were rushed to the
school’s treatment room after showing symptoms of gas poisoning,” he said.Asri
said 857 schoolchildren were affected.
“The number of pupils suffering from dizziness, nausea and
vomiting increased gradually. They were rushed to the Taman Pasir Putih
Community Hall for treatment,” he said.
He added that the Department of Environment came to check the
air quality and found that it was fine.
The department confirmed that the incident occurred due to
strong winds.
“Firefighters and rescue personnel ordered the closure of the
school and instructed the staff and students to go home at 11.15am,” he said.
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