‘Authorities must determine safe range’
PASIR GUDANG: Medical experts have urged the authorities to ascertain the concentration level of the “anomalous” gases found in the Pasir Gudang atmosphere.
This ratio, they believe, is the key towards determining the “safe range”, or whether residents have to exercise additional precautionary measures.
Dr Ravindran R. Naidu, who is former president of the Malaysian Medical Association, said the three gases detected in Pasir Gudang air should not be treated lightly.
He said the gases, if found in large quantities, could pose not just immediate problems, but also severe respiratory issues.
“Pollution is everywhere, but we are mainly concerned about the level of its concentration and how much it is mixed in the air.
“That is why it’s important to know the ratio of the toxicity in the Pasir Gudang air.”
Dr Ravindran said if the air pollution index exceeded the safe range, the situation could be unsafe for children with respiratory problems.
He said prolonged exposure to such gases could have long-lasting effects.
General practitioner Dr K. Jegathisan said in more extreme cases, children exposed to harmful gases could suffer pneumonitis, chronic asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
“The residents should evacuate the site and wait for the air to be declared toxic-free by the relevant agencies before returning to their homes.
“Pollution involving dangerous toxic fumes, such acrylonitrile, methanethiol and acrolein, must be monitored hourly to see whether it is improving or otherwise.”
Children with respiratory problems, he said, should avoid polluted air because it would lead to more severe health conditions.
“If not treated early, the prolonged condition can even lead to pneumonia and subsequently death.
“The residents should vacate the area until the situation has been fully resolved,” he said.
More than 748 cases of people displaying symptoms of respiratory problems have been recorded in Pasir Gudang since June 20.
Pasir Gudang, located about 30 minutes from Johor Baru, has 40,000 residents and 2,005 licensed factories, of which 250 are chemical-based.
Three factories were issued stop-work orders in relation to the recent incident.
The Department of Environment had obtained samples for testing toxic pollution and hazardous fumes, but has yet to reveal the concentration of chemical substances in the atmosphere.