Officials not taking chances with air quality
PASIR GUDANG: Despite an improvement in air quality, the authorities are not taking any chances in preventing another possible wave of toxic fumes, says Yeo Bee Yin.
The Energy, Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister said about 680m of the 1.5km stretch of Sungai Kim Kim had been cleaned up so far.
“This stretch of the river is the most polluted due to illegal dumping of waste by irresponsible quarters,” she told a press conference yesterday.
Yeo said the authorities used mobile detectors and the readings recorded an improvement in the air quality at the affected areas here.
“There has been a downward trend starting from Wednesday. However, we do not want to take things for granted as there is still much cleaning work to be done,” she said.
Yeo also announced the setting up of a scientific committee to investigate the polluted incident more scientifically to help the state government.
She added that the committee, which is headed by a professor from Universiti Teknologi Malaysia as well as other experts, would focus on four matters: data management, prevention of future waves, environmental monitoring and groundwater and soil vapour intrusion.
State Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said a total of 73 victims, who were being treated at Sultan Ismail Hospital and Sultanah Aminah Hospital, had been discharged.
“Up until 3pm, from a total of 480 victims who received initial treatment at the medic base at the Pasir Gudang Indoor Stadium, only 20 have been referred to hospitals for further check-ups,” he said.