Syed Umar Ariff and Teh Athira Yusof New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: Efforts are being made to ensure that the clean-up works ongoing in Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, Johor do not lead to any further spread of toxic waste in the air.
Energy, Science, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said containing the vaporisation of toxic waste as well as cleaning up the river are the main focus of the authorities at the moment.
“When the cleaning process is carried out, such as digging out the soil, there are volatile organic compounds which will vaporise into gas. This is why the spread of the chemical (methane gas) must be suppressed.
“That is why, when digging out toxic waste, it must be contained as we want to prevent the vapour from traveling further. There are gas detectors as well to monitor the level of gas let out during the vaporisation process.
“Contractors have a way to tackle this, which is by adding water to contain the vapour from spreading,” she said, noting that the hazardous material (Hazmat) team and Department of Environment (DoE) are currently monitoring the clean-up process.
Yeo said the phase two of the river clean-up is expected to complete within a week or less as four contractors will be appointed to do the works.
Energy, Science, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said containing the vaporisation of toxic waste as well as cleaning up the river are the main focus of the authorities at the moment. Pic by NSTP/MOHD YUSNI ARIFFIN
“There will be one more contractor to be appointed by the DoE, in addition to state-appointed contractors. This is expected to speed up the cleaning process,” she said, adding that the Meteorological Department and DoE as well as the Chemistry Department under the ministry have also been supporting the Johor government to tackle the issue.
Yeo, who is also Bakri member of parliament, advised factory operators to follow proper procedures in disposing toxic waste.
She said the DoE conducted inspections on 252 factories in the district yesterday.
“I hope factory operators with toxic waste do not panic and try to dump their waste irresponsibly in light of the checks being conducted by the DoE.
“The offence is bigger when one dumps the waste instead of keeping it. Do not create a new source (of toxic waste) in the river.
“There is no reason for factory operators to be afraid if they abide by the law,” she said, adding that police have also set up roadblocks to ensure that no illegal dumping of waste is being carried out.
2.43 tonnes of chemical waste collected from Sungai Kim Kim on first day
IZLAILY NURUL AIN HUSSEIN New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: A total of 2.43 tonnes of chemical wastes were collected from Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang during the cleaning process on the day the incident was reported on March 7.
Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said the amount was collected on the first day, so there is no question of the state government and the relevant agencies being late in taking action in the incident.
"The authorities received a report on the incident at 5.15am on March 7 and immediate response was taken, especially by the Fire and Rescue Department.
"The location where the chemicals were dumped was identified at 9.30am. Initial cleaning works were carried out by several agencies on site," Dr Sahruddin told a press conference at the state disaster management committee operations room at the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG) headquarters.
He, however, said the cleaning works had to be stopped on the second day (March 8) following information from the Department of Environment that the chemical waste was dangerous and required a cleaning method that meets safety regulations.
"Cleaning works were restarted yesterday by a contractor who is an expert in managing scheduled chemical materials.
"At the moment, the air quality level is normal but this could change depending on the weather," said Dr Sahruddin.
He said a total of 947 victims had received treatment since the incident was reported.
"Of that total, 209 victims were hospitalised in four hospitals in the district while eight were admitted to the intensive care unit at the Sultan Ismail Hospital.
"All the victims were given treatment and those in the ICU are stable," said Dr Sahruddin.
2.43 tonnes of chemical waste collected on day dumping was reported
mohd farhaan shah The Star 14 Mar 19;
PASIR GUDANG: Agencies involved in the cleaning-up operation of the polluted Sungai Kim Kim collected 2.43 tonnes of chemical waste on the day the incident was reported.
Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said this was the amount collected last Thursday (March 7).
“The operation on that day ended at around 11pm, where the waste was sent to a disposal area, which is licensed by the DOE.
“However, the cleaning-up work had to be stopped on the second day, which was on March 8, after getting advice from the Health Department and DOE, as it is found that the waste is toxic and, thus, needed to meet the standards set by Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH),” he added.
Dr Sahruddin said this at a press conference held at Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG) here on Thursday (March 14).
He added that cleaning work was continued on Wednesday (March 13), as the authorities had by then appointed contractors who had experience in handling such wastes.
In another matter, Dr Sahruddin said that the numbers of those affected from the pollution stood at 947, as of Wednesday (March 13) at around 8pm.
He added that 209 victims had so far been warded at government hospitals, while eight had been placed in intensive care units.
First contractor had no expertise in cleaning up chemical waste
TEH ATHIRA YUSOF New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: The first contractor hired to clean up chemical waste in Sungai Kim Kim had no expertise or experience in the matter.
Tebrau member of parliament Steven Choong Shiau Yoon told the Dewan Rakyat that the contractor, appointed by the district office, was found not to be experienced in dealing with chemical waste.
“After informing the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment, and Climate Change Ministry (of the problem), I was instructed to form a special committee with relevant government agencies to ensure a smooth cleaning process since March 7.
“A contractor was appointed at the time to start on the cleaning process, but the state Health Department informed me that the contractor had no experience in cleaning up such chemical waste. The contractor has ceased operations.
“On March 8, a special meeting was held and a decision was made to have a new contractor with a licence that had been approved by the Department of Environment (DoE). The state government will bear the cost of the appointment,” he said.
Choong said three more contractors had been appointed by the DoE to continue efforts in cleaning up the chemical waste.
He said a decision to declare a state of emergency was almost made on March 8, but the Fire and Rescue Department’s hazardous materials (Hazmat) team said the air readings in the area had returned to normal.
He said preparations had already been made to accommodate residents should a state of emergency be declared.
“We had identified places to place residents from the affected area, but as the menteri besar informed the media, no state of emergency was declared,” he said.
Over 900 victims so far in Pasir Gudang toxic pollution case
Syed Umar Ariff New Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
KUALA LUMPUR: A total of 937 cases of victims poisoned by toxic fumes in Pasir Gudang have been recorded since last Thursday.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said no fatalities have occurred. The victims, he said, were treated at the Sultan Ismail Hospital, Sultanah Aminah Hospital and Permai Hospital.
Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said no fatalities have occurred.-Bernama
Twelve are still being treated at intensive care units and are currently in stable condition.
"Yesterday, 162 new cases were reported and from the number, 108 were warded while the rest were given outpatient treatment.
"For now, no deaths have been recorded. The ministry has mobilised its assets since day one," Dr Dzulkefly told a press conference in Parliament.
He also said from the total number of cases, 19 victims were health service staff members.
"Eight of them are medical officers, four nurse aides, seven nurses, one driver and one medical specialist."
Dr Dzulkefly said people in Pasir Gudang should seek immediate medical care should they experience nausea and eye irritations.
At the same time, Dr Dzulkefly felt that the school children’s apparent acute vulnerability to the fumes was likely to the schools' open space.
"(Perhaps) the fumes spread easier due to the wind sweeping across school fields. People at home are less exposed due to closed structure of houses."
Numbers rise: 2,775 people affected by Pasir Gudang chemical pollution
mohd farhaan shah and remar nordin The Star 14 Mar 19;
PASIR GUDANG: The number of those affected by toxic fumes from the chemical pollution of Sungai Kim Kim here has jumped to 2,775.
Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said that until 12pm on Thursday (March 14), there were 1,906 cases at two medical bases in Pasir Gudang, and another 869 victims who sought treatment in hospitals and clinics in Johor Baru.
Dr Sahruddin of the 1,906 cases in Pasir Gudang, 1,483 victims were placed at the Dewan Taman Pasir Putih medical base, of which 224 of there were transferred to Hospital Sultan Ismail (HSI).
Another 423 victims were placed at the Dewan Taman Mawar medical base, with 52 of these cases transferred to HSI.
Dr Sahruddin also said that besides the 111 schools that were directed to close, kindergartens and preschools in the affected area were also told to close.
He added that based on figures from the Johor Community Development Department, a total of 94 kindergartens and preschools in Pasir Gudang, Tebrau and Tenggara have been closed down.
Meanwhile, it is learnt that the District Disaster Relief Management Committee closed down the Dewan Taman Pasir Putih and Dewan Taman Mawar medical bases here at around 7.30pm.
All patients and relevant government agency operations have been moved to the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG) Indoor Stadium, which has more space.
The Dewan Taman Pasir Putih and Dewan Taman Mawar was opened on Monday (March 11) as a first-stop screening centre for victims of the incident.
Village folk cry foul over river pollution
remar nordin The Star 14 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: Fishermen in Kampung Bukit Pulai are badly affected by the chemical waste dumped in Sungai Kim Kim near Pasir Gudang here.
The chemicals, believed to contain heavy metal used to dissolve metal at a scrapyard and a chemical factory in Kulai, were discharged into the river about a week ago, leading to dozens being treated for exposure to hazardous fumes.
Fisherman Hairil Rabu, 46, said his livelihood has been affected as his boat’s engine was now covered with black sticky sludge, making it impossible for him to go out to sea and earn a living.
“The sludge cannot be washed off. It has seeped into the propeller, making it hard to turn.
“The culprits behind this chemical spill must be made to pay for their irresponsible act.
“Many who depend on this river for a livelihood are badly affected,” he said when met at his house that is located about 5m away from Sungai Kim Kim here.He said his youngest sister, Puspasari Pertiwi Rabu, 24, had also been rushed to the Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) after having trouble breathing due to the toxic fumes.
“She is asthmatic and the pollution aggravated her condition. I hope the authorities take the necessary action against the culprits and ensure nothing like this happens again,” he said.
Meanwhile, his brother Nur Satria Rabu, 33, claimed that he was the first to notice the odour coming from the river last Thursday.
“I was getting ready to go out to fish when the stench hit me.
“Upon checking, I found the river water almost black in colour and smelly.
“However, this is not the first time as this situation has occurred before.
“Some villagers who initially complained to the authorities about the stench eventually gave up as no action was taken.
“Some have even grown accustomed to it and put up with the situation,” he said.
Another villager, Mohamad Firdaus Mahmood, 24, whose house is also located next to the river, said there should be a patrol officer in the villages to prevent factory operators from treating the river like a waste dumping site.
“In fact, I am also affected by the toxic fumes.
“My throat is sore and when breathing in air, it is painful.
“Now there is talk of attempts to dump more waste into the river.
“Where are the authorities and what are they doing over this illegal act?
“Something must be done fast.
“I urge the Drainage and Irrigation Department to come down hard on the culprits and deter them from contaminating the environment ever again,” he said.
Polluted river nothing new
nelson benjamin The Star 15 Mar 19;
JOHOR BARU: The recent incident in Sg Kim Kim is nothing new as it has been a dumping ground for chemical waste for the past 10 years, rendering many parts of the 13km river almost lifeless.
Malaysian Nature Society vice-president Vincent Chow said this was based on two studies he conducted in 2014 and 2016, which showed that some stretches of the river had become shallow and its waters black and bereft of fish.
“Local fishermen say the river used to have a lot of fish, but now it has turned black and smelly.
“I believe that illegal waste dumping has been going on for years, making this river a ticking time bomb that led to this incident, caused by chemical reactions due to the recent heat and low tide,” he said.Chow said this is a wake-up call for the state government to come up with a framework to better protect the environment, using not just the resources of its own agencies, but in tandem with NGOs and stakeholders such as fishing communities.He said Sg Kim Kim was not the only polluted river in Pasir Gudang, as Sg Tengkorak and Sg Jelutong, both in Permas, had also become dumping grounds for waste.
“Now is the time for the government to check whether these chemicals were all from domestic sources or brought in from overseas,” he said.
He added that importing waste and later dumping them into the state’s rivers was a “lucrative business” for some quarters.
Chow also said the Department of Environment should publish the findings of its water sampling in the area so that the public would be better informed about the current condition of the river.
Asked how long it would take to clear the river, he said it was heavily polluted as the chemicals had seeped into the mud.
“You will have to remove all the mud and safely transport it to a safe place away from the population,” he said, adding that it would take a long time.
Experts warn of serious long-term health effects
clarissa chung The Star 15 Mar 19;
PETALING JAYA: The mix of chemicals dumped into Sg Kim Kim could prove to be a deadly concoction, with experts warning of serious long-term health effects.
Prof Dr Yang Farina Abdul Aziz, Senior Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Centre of Water Research and Analysis, said of the chemicals found to have been dumped there, benzene was one of the most hazardous.
“As chemists, we try to avoid benzene at all costs because it is a known carcinogen,” she said.
She said the effects of the chemicals dumped into Sg Kim Kim were dependent on the levels of concentration and the amount an individual has been exposed to.
“By right, industrial companies shouldn’t be using benzene, though it is a good solvent,” she said.
Dr Yang Farina added that the other chemicals dumped into the river could also pose an immediate risk to the general public.
Among the other chemicals that have been found at the site were acrolein, acrylonitrile, chloride, methene, hydrogen, toluene, xylene, ethyl benzene and D-limonene.
“It is a cocktail of various hazardous chemicals, not just one deadly chemical. As of now, we still don’t know what the ‘unknown chemicals’ that were found are,” she said.
She likened the Pasir Gudang incident to a similar one in Love Canal, New York where residents suffered serious health issues because their neighbourhood was built on a toxic dump site.
If the chemicals had been stored and disposed properly, she said, they would not have posed too much of a threat to public health.
Usually, she added, scheduled waste would be sent to the Kualiti Alam waste management centre in Negri Sembilan which is licensed to treat such waste.
“What we see here is a mismanagement of chemicals as the operators were trying to take a shortcut,” she alleged, adding that the authorities will have to look into it seriously.
Dr Yang Farina advised people in the area to wear activated carbon masks that can absorb organic vapours.
Meanwhile, water quality and modelling specialist Dr Zaki Zainudin said he has observed a stark difference between Sg Kim Kim’s condition in 2012 and in 2017.
He noticed illegal discharges to the river, and observations by locals corroborate this too. They have told him that the water in the drains in the area turn black only when it rains and at night, as those are the times when industrial workers may be dumping waste to avoid detection by enforcement officers.
“The Tanjung Langsat Industrial Area is just adjacent to Sg Kim Kim. Where does this industrial effluent go? It could have gone to Sg Kim Kim or Sg Kopok.
“There is also a sewage treatment plant or oxidation pond upstream which could also have discharged waste into Sg Kim Kim,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Human Resources Ministry has made known some of the adverse health effects that can be caused by the chemicals detected in the river.
Acrylonitrile, with an allowed exposure limit of 2ppm (parts per million), can cause nausea, irritable nose and skin, and respiratory problems.
It can be metabolised in one’s body to become cyanide, which is a rapidly acting and potentially deadly chemical.
Pasir Gudang chemical spill: 6 things you need to know
Straits Times 14 Mar 19;
KUALA LUMPUR - The illegal dumping of toxic waste into Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, Johor, has sickened 937 people and forced the closure of all 111 schools in the area.
Of the sick people, 12 are in stable condition in intensive care, the Malay Mail said on Thursday, citing the Health Ministry. No deaths have been reported.
A RM6.4 million (S$2.12 million) fund has been approved to clean up a 1.5km stretch of the river, Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin announced on Wednesday (March 13).
Here's what you need to know about the environmental catastrophe:
1. WHAT ARE THE TOXIC CHEMICALS?
Ms Yeo has said that at least eight chemicals have been identified, based on sampling, but there are still unknown chemicals in the mix.
One of the chief pollutants has been identified as marine oil waste by Department of Environment investigators. It is used to lubricate marine engines and emits flammable methane and benzene fumes.
Between 20 and 40 tonnes of marine oil waste was dumped in the river, Johor DOE director Datuk Mohammad Ezzani Mat Salleh told The Malay Mail.
Other news reports in the New Straits Times and Berita Harian have also listed other compounds such as acrylonitrile and acrolein, in addition to hydrogen chloride, toulene, xylene and limonene.
2. WHEN WAS THE WASTE DUMPED?
A tanker lorry dumped the chemicals in the river on March 6, according to the Johor Department of Environment.
The first 103 people fell sick on March 7 and since then, the number of people who have fallen sick has risen to 937.
3. WHERE WAS THE WASTE DUMPED?
The toxic chemicals were dumped under a bridge connecting Taman Pasir Putih and Taman Kota Masai.
The location is just around half a kilometre from the schools where students were first affected: SK Taman Pasir Putih, and SMK Pasir Putih.
4. WHY ARE THESE CHEMICALS TOXIC?
Methane exposure reduces oxygen levels in the body and can cause organ damage, including to the brain and heart, according to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety. Methane gas can also irritate the eyes.
Meanwhile, benzene can cause cell dysfunction, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It alters blood levels of anti-bodies, leading to the loss of white blood cells and causing damage to the immune system. In addition, this can prevent bone marrow from producing enough red blood cells, leading to anaemia.
Acrylonitrile is highly flammable and toxic at low doses. It releases fumes of hydrogen cyanide and oxides of nitrogen. It is classified as a Class 2B carcinogen - or "possibly carcinogenic" - by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Hydrogen cyanide impedes the normal use of oxygen by the body's organs and can be deadly. All organ systems sensitive to low oxygen levels - the brain, heart, blood vessels and lungs - are vulnerable.
Acrylonitrile and acrolein exposure can cause strong irritation to the skin, eyes, and nasal passages, according to the CDC and Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry.
5. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?
The Johor Department of Environment detained two factory owners and a worker, all in their 50s, on March 11 over their suspected involvement in the dumping of the chemicals.
All three have admitted to their involvement, but have yet to be named pending charges being filed in court.
On Wednesday, an illegal factory owner was due to be charged at a Magistrate's Court in Johor. However, the prosecution has postponed the case pending further investigation.
Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Osman Sapian said on Wednesday that a task force has been set up to to investigate the pollution.
6. HOW DOES ONE AVOID EXPOSURE?
The public have been offered the following advice:
- Do not enter the affected area and do not take part in recreational activities near Sungai Kim Kim, as the toxic chemicals can spread due to temperature, wind and weather conditions.
- The Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia has advised the use of appropriate protective equipment and measures. For example, if a family member is affected, wash his or her clothing separately from the rest of the family to avoid the chemicals being transferred.
- Get immediate treatment if experiencing symptoms such as nausea, shortness of breath, or eye and chest irritation.
- Follow the instructions of the authorities and stay up-to-date on the latest developments. Don't fall prey to sensational or false information.
