No anomalies in Singapore's air and water quality, say authorities amid methane poisoning in Pasir Gudang

Channel NewsAsia 14 Mar 19;

SINGAPORE: No anomalies have been detected in Singapore's air and water quality, the authorities said on Thursday (Mar 14) after illegal toxic waste dumping in Pasir Gudang, Johor left hundreds of people ill.

In a joint statement, the National Environment Agency (NEA), Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), Singapore's water agency PUB and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that they are closely monitoring the situation in Pasir Gudang.

​​​​​​​"We understand that the clean-up operation by the Malaysian authorities is in progress. The affected area is outside of the Johor River catchment, and there is no impact on Singapore’s water supply," said the statement.

"SCDF, NEA and PUB have not detected any anomalies in our local air and water quality. The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority has been working with our farmers to monitor the situation and no anomalies or fish mortality have been observed at our fish farms."

On Mar 7, a tanker from an illegal tyre recycling factory is said to have dumped chemical waste into Sungai Kim Kim. Water from Sungai Kim Kim flows into the Strait of Johor, near Singapore’s Pulau Ubin.

SCDF and NEA said on Thursday that they are in contact with their Malaysian counterparts to get updates on the situation.

Earlier in the day, NEA said in a Facebook post: “The ambient Volatile Organic Compounds levels along Singapore’s coast remain within safe levels".

"The seawater quality within the vicinity of Pulau Ubin is also within normal levels,” it added.

According to NEA, the 24-hr PSI since Mar 6 has been in the good to low-moderate range, while the 1-hr PM2.5 readings remained in Band I (Normal).

As of 8pm on Wednesday, more than 940 people in Pasir Gudang have sought treatment for shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, said Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Sahruddin Jamal.

All 111 schools in Pasir Gudang were ordered shut by Malaysia’s education ministry.

The Sultan of Johor Ibrahim Iskandar has pledged RM1 million (US$244,700) to help aid efforts, and has ordered authorities to act against those responsible for dumping the toxic waste and asked for a thorough investigation.

Source: CNA/na/ic(aw)


Pasir Gudang chemical spill: Singapore says no air, water anomalies detected here
Straits Times 14 Mar 19;

SINGAPORE - Singapore authorities on Thursday (March 14) said they have not detected anomalies in the Republic's air and water quality following the chemical spill incident in Pasir Gudang, adding that they will continue to monitor the situation closely.

They also said that seawater quality in the vicinity of Pulau Ubin was within normal levels on Thursday afternoon.

The statement was jointly issued by the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA), National Environment Agency (NEA), Singapore's national water agency PUB and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) .

More than 500 people have been sickened by what is believed to be the dumping of toxic waste in Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, Johor.

Of those stricken, 166 have been admitted to hospital, with nine of them in critical condition.

A RM6.4 million (S$2.12 million) fund has been approved to clean up a 1.5km stretch of the river.

The statement on Thursday said: "The affected area is outside of the Johor River catchment, and there is no impact on Singapore's water supply.

"SCDF, NEA and PUB have not detected any anomalies in our local air and water quality.

"The Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority has been working with our farmers to monitor the situation and no anomalies or fish mortality have been observed at our fish farms."

The statement added that Singapore's 24-hour Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) since March 6, 2019, has been in the Good to Low-Moderate range.

And the one-hour PM2.5 readings remained in Band I (Normal).

"NEA has not detected any elevated levels of benzene or other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) at our air monitoring stations.

"The ambient VOC levels along Singapore's coast remain within safe levels. The seawater quality within the vicinity of Pulau Ubin is within normal levels".

It added: "The authorities will continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates if there are any significant developments."


No impact on S’pore air, water quality from Pasir Gudang toxic fumes: Authorities
ALFRED CHUA Today Online 14 Mar 19;

SINGAPORE — The chemical spill at a river in Pasir Gudang in Johor has had no impact on Singapore’s water supply, nor have there been any anomalies detected in the local air and water quality, authorities here said.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), National Environment Agency (NEA), Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) and national water agency PUB said in a joint statement on Thursday (March 14) that they are closely monitoring the situation.

It was earlier reported by Malaysian media that 20 to 40 tonnes of chemical waste were believed to have been illegally dumped into the Kim Kim River a week ago.

SCDF, NEA and PUB said the affected area “is outside of the Johor River catchment and there is no impact on Singapore’s water supply”.

They added that they have not detected “any anomalies” in local air and water quality.

Similarly, for fish farms, the AVA has found no anomalies or fish mortality.

The NEA added that the 24-hr Pollutant Standards Index since March 6 has been in the Good to Low-Moderate range. The 1-hr PM2.5 readings remained in Band I (Normal).

There have been no elevated levels of benzene or other volatile organic compounds at air monitoring stations here as well, it said.

Seawater quality at Pulau Ubin, which is near the Pasir Gudang area, is also within normal levels, the statement added.

The authorities said they are in contact with their Malaysian counterparts for updates on the situation.

The Malaysian education ministry has shut down all schools in Pasir Gudang district until further notice due to the emission of toxic fumes.

As of Wednesday, 506 victims of toxic fumes had sought medical treatment, out of which nine were admitted into the intensive care unit, said Malaysia’s health ministry.

Separately, Johor Chief Minister Osman Sapian said on Wednesday that the toxic fumes situation was under control.

Mr Osman added that there was no need to evacuate or move residents living along the river, pointing out that the various departments and agencies had contained the situation.