Pollution Suspected After 13 Students In Johor Suffered Breathing Difficulties & Vomiting

According to State Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar Khuzzan, the incident took place at two schools, Sekolah Agama Taman Mawar and Sekolah Kebangsaan Pasir Gudang 4 yesterday, at 3.40pm.

“Those affected are being treated at Sultan Ismail Hospital. Thirteen are students between the ages of seven and 12, while the other two are school staff," said the chairman as quoted by the Star Online.

“The public should not panic as the authorities are monitoring the ground situation closely,” he said, adding that the situation in both schools is now under control.

Pasir Gudang Fire and Rescue station chief Ibrahim Omar said that upon arriving at the school after receiving a distress call, the personnel inspected the situation and immediately sent the five students to the hospital for further treatment.

“A hazardous material (Hazmat) team and a Johor Baru EMRS unit also went to the location to help the responding team and carried out decontamination process,” he said as reported by NST Online.

According to Malay Mail, test results had revealed that the air quality is normal.

Johor Local Government, Urban Wellbeing and Environment Committee chairman Tan Chen Choon said that a scientific committee has been set up to conduct an investigation and identify the source of the alleged pollution.

“The Hazmat, Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS) and the Pasir Gudang Fire station together with the state Department of Environment (DoE) and other agencies had immediately carried out safety and decontamination work at the scene," he added as reported by Malay Mail.

It was reported that 111 schools in Pasir Gudang had to be closed down in March after students suffered from breathing difficulties due to the excess chemical waste being dumped into the river. 

The schools only reopened when test results showed low levels of pollution after a clean-up operation was carried out at the river.