Tuesday January 24, 2006
Toxic dumps big health risk
KLANG: Contractors who discard toxic wastes indiscriminately are endangering the health of people living around the illegal dumpsites, said Selangor Environment Committee chairman Datuk Ch’ng Toh Eng.
Friday January 20, 2006
Two more dumpsites found
YONG PENG: The authorities have confirmed the locations of another two toxic waste dumpsites in the state. Department of Environment (DOE) personnel uncovered the dumpsites along Batu 8 and Batu 9¾ of Jalan Yong Peng-Labis yesterday, bringing the number of sites found in the past two weeks to three. The first site was found in Kampung Sungai Gatom in Labis on Jan 7. Ammonia fumes emitted by the aluminium dross forced the evacuation of 568 residents. State Tourism and Environmental Committee chairman Freddie Long said the latest sites were away from residential areas. “The site at Batu 8 is in an oil palm estate, about 4km from the main road,” he told reporters yesterday after visiting the dumpsites. The other site at Batu 9¾ was also located in an oil palm estate, he said, adding that it was near a chicken farm. Long said ammonia was also being emitted at both sites, but tests showed that the waste material did not pose an immediate danger to water sources in the area, especially rivers. It is believed that the waste at the two new sites is the same as that unearthed in Kampung Sungai Gatom. DOE officials have collected samples to be tested by the Chemistry Department in Petaling Jaya. “On behalf of the state government, I would like to express our disappointment with the contractor for not informing DOE of the locations,” Long said, adding that action would be taken against the guilty parties once investigations were completed. Asked how long it would take to clear the toxic waste at the two new sites, he said the authorities had yet to ascertain the amount of material buried. On Wednesday, the contractor hired to dump the toxic waste in Labis revealed that there were two other illegal dumpsites in the state. He claimed that he had been duped into believing that the waste material was fertiliser. A Batu Pahat Action Committee, comprising personnel from the DOE, Fire and Rescue Department, district council, Public Works Department and police, has been formed to address the current problem.
Thursday January 19, 2006
Contractor claims he thought waste material was fertiliser
JOHOR BARU: The contractor who was hired to dump the toxic waste in Labis has come forward to claim that he was duped into believing the waste material was fertiliser. Tey Tian Seng, 30, also revealed that there are two more such illegal dumpsites in the state. In a press conference in Segamat yesterday, Tey said he was engaged by a Malacca-based company late last year to dump waste but he didn't know the material was aluminium dross. “I was told by the company that it was some form of fertiliser,” said a distressed Tey who fretted over how he and two other drivers did not wear protective gear when handling the waste. Tey declined to identify the location of the two sites because he wanted to inform the Department of Environment (DOE) first. He said a middleman would identify the dumping ground, usually a sand mining site, and Tey’s job was to deposit the waste and cover it up with soil. Tey also said he was paid RM50 per tonne for the task. (He would have been paid RM15,000 for depositing the 300 tonnes of waste recovered at Kampung Sungai Gatom in Labis). “I am very sorry to the people. I really did not know that it was dangerous material. I hope I can set things right by coming forward and help the authorities get to the bottom of this,” said Tey, who was accompanied by his lawyer Pang Hok Liong. Meanwhile, State Tourism and Environment Committee chairman Freddie Long said that since Jan 13, some 330 tonnes of aluminium dross buried 3m in the ground had been unearthed and sent for disposal at Bukit Nenas in Negri Sembilan. Long said the authorities have been monitoring the air and water quality in the affected areas and found that the ammonia level was below the danger point. A total of 568 evacuees from 135 families were allowed to go home on Tuesday, he said. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, when met at a function later, said the two sites were in an oil palm plantation at Batu 8 and Batu 9 of Jalan Yong Peng in Labis. He added that the DOE would seal off the area and arrange to remove the waste as soon as possible. “Next, it will have to ascertain what kind of waste it is and whether it is hazardous to the environment,” he said.
Thursday January 19, 2006
Toxic gas in Sungai Buloh
CONGRATULATIONS to the Johor Mentri Besar, the State Secretary and the state's Department of Environment. When they discovered that residents of Kampung Sungai Gatom were being poisoned by toxic fumes, they did not hesitate to order the removal of the waste, fine the contractor for the dumping, and order the two factories responsible for producing the waste to suspend operations indefinitely. These immediate actions helped ensure the villagers' rights are protected and that they will not suffer long-term health problems. As reported, ammonia gas, produced when aluminium dross reacts with water, is hazardous and highly toxic. For a very long time, we residents in the Sungai Buloh area have also been suffering from the effects of toxic gas fumes in our neighbour-hood. An inspection by the Selangor Department of Environment in 2002 resulted in it issuing an order to a nearby factory to stop operations because of excessive toxic emissions. Several reminders followed but, to date, the factory is still in operation. Residents continue to suffer the toxic emissions, especially after rainfall and at night when, presumably, water reacts with toxic wastes produced at the factory. Although the quantity of toxic waste may not be to the extent of 300 tonnes, the fumes produced are still enough to make residents close their windows and to stay indoors. I urge the Selangor authorities to follow the example set by their Johor counterparts and take immediate action to stop the continuous poisoning of residents of Sungai Buloh. This should be done urgently, especially before the opening of the nearby Sungai Buloh Hospital
Sungai Buloh.
Wednesday January 18, 2006
Use gas leak guidelines for public exposure
YOUR report, “3,800 in Labis go back to school” (The Star, Jan 16) mentioned that the level of ammonia in the air beyond the 200m radius from the dumpsite has dropped to five parts per million (ppm), well below the danger level of 25ppm. The level of 25ppm quoted is actually the permissible exposure limit prescribed for a workplace for adult workers who are exposed over eight hours a day, not over 24 hours. Nevertheless, the limit cannot be applied as a public exposure guideline because the public also comprise children and the elderly. For public inhalation exposure to ammonia, there are two authoritative exposure guidelines: the US Environmental Protection Agency’s acute no observed adverse effect level of 3.31ppm, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’s acute minimal risk level of 1.7ppm.
Tuesday January 17, 2006
Ammonia fumes cause much suffering
LABIS: He had to leave his home because the authorities had to clean up illegally dumped chemicals nearby. However, Khoo Boon Chong, 57, a factory worker, could not help but go back every few hours to make sure his house was safe. Khoo, who lives in Taman Ah Pong, Kampung Sungai Gatom, near here, was one of over 300 people forced to leave their houses when thick ammonia fumes were emitted from a nearby site where 300 tonnes of aluminium dross was illegally dumped. “Even though I moved into the Chinese school nearby, I went back every few hours to make sure nobody breaks into my house,” he said when met on one of his checking rounds. He had earlier stopped at a checkpoint to ask policemen to guard his home. “Please look after my home. I don’t want to come back and find my windows panes and doors broken, and my things stolen,” he told them. He said he had to move out because the stench was unbearable. “I felt like I was dying. Only after I turned on all the fans at full speed could I breathe a little better,” he said. Some victims who decided to stay in their homes said they experienced breathing difficulties when the ammonia fumes were detected on Jan 8. “I was alright, but my wife, who is ill, said she had breathing difficulties. The fumes irritated her nasal passage. Her eyes also hurt from the ammonia,” said Salip Sajut, 62. Ahmad Marjan, 82, had to be helped by his wife Salbiah Kumin, 65, because he suffered from chest pains. “I have a weak heart, and on that day, it was very painful and I felt like I could not breathe. Some relatives took me to the clinic and I felt better after taking medication,” he said when met at his home. Friends Azharudinhakim Abu Bakar and Yusri Zainal Abidin, both 14, were having a chat in the neighbourhood when their nostrils felt as if they were being pricked by the pungent ammonia smell. “Next, my eyes started feeling irritated and became teary and red. Azhar checked my eyes and then we decided to go home. “My parents then took me to a clinic for treatment,” said Yusri.
Monday January 16, 2006
3,800 in Labis go back to school
LABIS: More than 3,800 students whose schools here were closed on Friday will get to resume lessons today. The six schools were closed as a precautionary measure after works to excavate illegal toxic waste from a dumpsite in Kampung Sungai Gatom started. Ammonia was being released from the waste since last week. Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek said the decision was made as air quality in the area has improved. “Outside the 200m radius from the dumpsite, the ammonia concentration level stood at five parts per million (ppm), well below the danger level of 25ppm,” he said yesterday before visiting the site. Four hundred and fifty-four people living within a 200m radius from the dumpsite were evacuated to three centres. Dr Chua said it had yet to be decided when the evacuees could return home. “The weather does not permit us to complete the excavation as soon as possible,” he said, adding that so far 185 tonnes of waste had been removed. It is believed that some 300 tonnes of aluminium dross had been dumped at the site. Dr Chua said apart from the factory that had dumped the toxic waste, action could also be taken against the transporter and the owner of the dumpsite. “We will not tolerate and will take strict action against all involved. Let this be a message to those irresponsible,” he added.
Sunday January 15, 2006
Toxic gases I READ about the recent ammonia leaks, and I got worried. How can we tell if there’s a toxic gas floating around the atmosphere? What if there is no smell?
Toxic gas leaks are classified under chemical emergencies. Chemical releases can be accidental, such as an industrial gas leak, or intentional, as in a terrorist attack. Hazardous chemicals used in industry include chlorine, ammonia and benzene. Chemicals that have been developed for warfare include sarin, VX, sulphur and nitrogen mustards and choking agents like phosgene. Whether or not there is a smell (and there usually is) when a toxic gas is released into the atmosphere depends very much on the gas itself.
Isn’t chlorine something used in our tap water? I thought it was a liquid. How can that be dangerous? Sometimes, chlorine comes in the form of a poisonous gas. When liquid chlorine is released, it rapidly turns into a gas that stays close to the ground and spreads quickly. It has an irritating, “bleach-like” odour and is yellow-green in colour. It was actually used in WW1 as a choking agent. And yes, it is used to kill bacteria in tap water. When chlorine gas comes in contact with the water in your eyes, throat and lungs, acid is produced that can damage your tissues. You develop symptoms of organ irritation, such as a burning sensation in your eyes and nose, coughing, difficulty in breathing. Your vision might be blurred, and your skin (if exposed) can blister. Within two to four hours, your lungs might be filled with fluid (pulmonary oedema.) Chlorine likes to settle in low-lying areas, so you must move to higher ground immediately. Take off your clothes, wash your entire body with soap and water and go to the hospital at once.
What about benzene?
Benzene can either be colourless or light yellow. It has a sweet smell and is highly flammable. Like chlorine, it is heavier than air and may sink to low-lying areas. The atmosphere actually contains low levels of benzene from tobacco smoke, petrol stations, car exhaust and industrial emissions. And the benzene level inside your house or workplace is actually higher than outdoors because of glue, wax, paint and detergents! Too much benzene can suppress your bone marrow and damage your immune system. It’s a recognised cause of leukaemia. If you breathe in high levels of benzene, you may feel drowsy and confused. Your heart rate may be irregular, and you may tremble. Some people slip into unconsciousness and death at very high levels. Again, upon exposure, run away from the area, remove your clothes and seek medical help immediately.
What is tear gas and how is it used?
Tear gas is also called a “riot-control agent”. It is sprayed by the military or police onto marauding and uncontrolled crowds to temporarily make people unable to function by causing irritation to the eyes, respiratory tract and skin. Yes, you may have extensive “tearing”. A common chemical used in tear gas is chloroacetophenone. There are many combinations of agents that can be used. Beware. The “pepper spray” used by the general public for protection is actually a form of tear gas! Tear gas is initially a liquid or a solid. When it’s released into the air, it becomes droplets or fine particles. Once sprayed, its effects on a person is short-lived, only about 15 to 30 minutes. If you are exposed long-term, you may develop blindness, glaucoma, respiratory failure and death.
I have heard about the sarin gas attack in the Japanese subways. Is it a very toxic gas?
It’s one of the nerve gases (or agents). These are the most toxic and rapidly acting chemicals known to man. Now, you have to be careful about sarin. It is one of those gases that have no odour and is colourless. It can also be mixed easily with water and used to poison it. Symptoms appear immediately (a few seconds) on exposure to sarin gas. All nerve gases exert their toxic effects on the body’s “off” switch for glands and muscles. Thus stimulated, the muscles and glands will now overexert themselves rapidly. Immediately, you may experience all the respiratory tract symptoms, as well as watery eyes, blurred vision and excessive sweating. Then breathing may become difficult. Your heart rate and blood pressure can go unregulated. If you have been exposed to mild or moderate doses, you will usually recover completely. But massive doses will kill you.
What about that choking agent, phosgene? I’ve never heard of it.
Phosgene is a major industrial chemical for plastics and pesticides. It smells like newly mown hay or green corn, and is most pleasant at low concentrations. It’s either colourless or white to pale yellow. It was used in WW1 as a choking agent, and was the chemical responsible for the most number of gas-related deaths in that war. Phosgene will cause the usual signs and symptoms experienced with any toxic gas after exposure. But there may be delayed effects up to 48 hours. A lot of soldiers in WW1 died that way – they thought they were safe when the initial effects of the gas wore off, but they weren’t.
Dr YLM graduated as a medical doctor, and has been writing for many years on various subjects such as medicine, health advice, computers and entertainment. The information contained in this column is for general educational purposes only. Neither The Star nor the author gives any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to such information. The Star and the author disclaim all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
Sunday January 15, 2006
Toxic fumes cause children to fall sick
LABIS: An 11 year-old girl had to be treated after she vomited due to the ammonia fumes at Kampung Paya Merah here. Her mother, housewife Rosnah Busu, 34, said the girl had a headache and vomited several times yesterday before they took her to a clinic. The fumes also affected Amin Norashid Razali, 13, whose nose bled for two days. The children were among 249 peopled evacuated to the Kampung Paya Merah community hall due to the toxic fumes. Another 53 villagers are at SRJK Tamil and 16 villagers at Rumah Sejahtera in Chaah. Some 300 tonnes of aluminium dross, believed to have come from a factory in Malacca and buried beside Sungai Gatom, has been releasing ammonia fumes into the air since Sunday. Six schools had been closed since Thursday when excavation work began. Segamat Information officer Fadhilah Mohammed said more than 100 tonnes of the waste had been excavated and sent to the Bukit Nenas disposal site in Negri Sembilan. She said by 11am yesterday, the pollution reading at the site dropped from 200ppm (parts per million) to 100ppm. The reading outside the 2km radius was 5ppm. Fadhilah said schools would reopen when it was safe for children to return.
Saturday January 14, 2006
Toxic fumes again force out residents
JOHOR BARU: Clearing work has started at a site in Labis where 300 tonnes of aluminium dross are buried, prompting residents to move out of their homes. Tractors and lorries arrived early in the morning, with police cordoning off roads leading to the site next to Sungai Gatom. Workers inspecting and excavating the site wore gas masks to avoid inhaling the toxic fumes. On Sunday, ammonia fumes discharged due to a chemical reaction at the dumpsite caused more than 300 people living nearby to evacuate their homes. Most residents returned two days later. Yesterday, they again left their homes as clearing work started and the terrible smell permeated the air. More than 184 people were evacuated to neighbouring schools and community halls, 36 of whom moved into SJK (T) Labis temporarily. One resident, S. Raman, 41, a rubber tapper, said: “The gas made our eyes and faces itch and our throats dry.” The Star also spotted a family driving off from their home, their faces covered with white towels. Ramlah Redzuan, 49, a teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan Labis, said her family was temporarily staying at a relative’s house in Palong Timor, about 80km away. “Our house is about 500m from the site and even though we closed all the doors, windows, we could not bear the terrible smell,” she said. Another family left their home in Taman Ah Pong for Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Labis with bags packed. According to Chow Hui Keng, 16, her parents and her siblings were concerned that the ammonia gas may affect their health.
Friday January 13, 2006
Six Johor schools to close for toxic waste clean-up
LABIS: Six schools here will be closed for at least three days when work to unearth 300 tonnes of toxic waste buried near Kampung Sungai Gatom in Segamat here begins today. The closure, described as a precautionary measure, will affect more than 3,000 students. The schools are SK Labis, SK Sri Labis, Sekolah Agama Labis, SMK Jalan Muar, SMK Labis and SJK(T) Labis. The toxic waste, identified as aluminium dross and believed to have come from a factory in Malacca, has been releasing ammonia fumes into the air since Sunday after rainwater prompted a chemical reaction. Since Sunday, more than 300 people living near Kampung Sungai Gatom have moved out of their homes. Segamat district officer Datuk Md Alwee Abdul Rashid said yesterday morning that 100 tonnes of toxic waste would be disposed of in one day. It is learnt that more than 1,000 villagers within a 0.4km radius from the dumpsite could also be evacuated. He advised villagers to close all doors and windows for the next few days and those with respiratory ailment to leave home for the time being. Following a 3pm meeting yesterday, chief assistant district officer Abdul Han Ramin said the disaster team has decided to make it compulsory for nine families comprising some 50 people in Kampung Sungai Gatom to evacuate their homes today. Both Kampung Sungai Gatom and Taman Ah Pong are some 0.2km from where the toxic waste is buried. Abdul Han said the rest of the villagers could remain if they wished to. “If everything gets done by Monday, the students can go back to school. “If not, we will inform the schools to suspend lessons until the clearing work is completed,” said Abdul Han. In Malacca, LEE YUK PENG reports that the licences of two metal factories suspected to have dumped the toxic waste near Kampung Sungai Gatom would be suspended effective today pending investigation. State Executive Councillor Datuk Karim Sulaiman, however, said the factories in Bukit Rambai Industrial Estate have a clean record of disposing toxic waste according to regulations. “The state government is not certain whether the contractor who dumped the toxic waste in Labis was from these factories in Malacca. It could be the irresponsible act of the contractor,” Karim said. There are only two metal factories producing aluminium ingots supplied to electronics factories in the state, he said. Samples of the aluminium dross were taken from one factory for testing in the Chemistry Department to determine if it was similar to those found in Labis.
Thursday January 12, 2006
300 tonnes of toxic waste emitting ammonia fumes By MARSHA TAN and SIM LEOI LEOInewsdesk@thestar.com.my
JOHOR BARU: About 300 tonnes of toxic waste buried at an illegal dumpsite in Labis, Segamat, are emitting ammonia fumes. Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said the land owner had been ordered to dig up and dispose of all the waste which had been identified as aluminium dross. The waste is believed to be from a factory in Malacca. On Sunday, ammonia fumes discharged due to a chemical reaction at the dumpsite caused more than 300 people living near Kampung Sungai Gatom to evacuate their homes. “We have identified a contractor who confessed that he was employed by a factory in Malacca to bury the waste,” Abdul Ghani told reporters after a briefing by the Department of Environment (DOE). Abdul Ghani urged the health department to screen the health status of villagers living within a 200m radius of the dumpsite. Johor DOE director Dr Abdul Rahman Awang said clearing works would begin today, and were expected to be completed within six days. In Putrajaya, Occupational Safety and Health Department director-general Abu Bakar Che Man said an ice-making factory in Taman Nagasari in Penang had been issued with three notices of prohibition after an inspection yesterday. “We found that some of its machinery had not been registered with the department as required under the law,” he said. “We also found that the factory did not have adequate safety and health measures.” More than 100 workers from five factories were barred from entering their workplace on Monday because of an ammonia leak in the plant.
Wednesday January 11, 2006
Fumes caused by chemical-rain reaction
LABIS: The ammonia fumes which forced 300 villagers near here to flee their homes could have been caused by aluminium dross reaction to rainwater, the state Fire and Rescue Department said. Acting state operations assistant director Abdul Hamid S. Abdullah said the reaction was still occurring and bubbles could be seen at the surface of a pool of water at the site where the chemical had been illegally dumped. However, he said, the situation was improving as there was less bubbling than before. “As a precautionary measure, the road leading to the dump will be closed for at least two more days. People should also stay away from the area,” he said when met at the fire station here yesterday. More than 300 residents of Taman Ah Pong in Kampung Sungai Gatom fled their homes on Saturday afternoon when ammonia fumes drifted in. The fumes came from a nearby rubber estate where the chemical was believed to have been dumped illegally. Abdul Hamid said the Hazmat (hazardous material) team from Johor Baru visited the area again yesterday to assess the situation. Most of the residents began returning home as the situation improved.
Tuesday January 10, 2006
Occupational safety at work unheeded
Tuesday January 10, 2006
Leak halts work at five factories
ASP Azelan said four fire engines and 33 firemen from Prai and
Perak Road
were also sent to the area. “Exposure to high levels of ammonia can cause irritation and serious burns to the skin and the mouth, throat, lungs and eyes, but this is very rare because the gas has a distinct smell similar to urine. “The factory used the ammonia as a coolant in ice-making. The chemical is mainly used in the production of fertilisers and explosives,” he said.
Tuesday January 10, 2006
Ammonia fumes force out residents
LABIS: More than 300 people overcome by ammonia fumes caused by a chemical reaction at a nearby illegal dumpsite fled their homes yesterday. The gas prompted residents living near Sungai Gatom to evacuate their homes. They are from Taman Ah Pong, Kampung Sungai Gatom and the forest ranger quarters. Taman Ah Pong resident R. Appalasamy was watching TV with his family when he detected a strong smell. When he got up to close the doors and windows, he found that the air carried a very strong ammonia smell. He grabbed a towel to cover his face. “It started around noon on Saturday and the smell became unbearable, so much so that my daughter started to vomit,” Appalasamy, 47, said yesterday. “The rest of us experienced dryness in our throat and nose.” Initial investigations showed that heavy rain in the area over the past few days caused a reaction in the chemicals, buried about 500m from the main road leading to the village. Villagers complained that the ammonia fumes stung their eyes and caused skin irritation, breathing difficulties, throat irritation and a few people to vomit – to the extent that some had to seek medical treatment. “The air was so bad that we could not even drink or eat,” said Appalasamy, a father of seven. “We just kept on coughing.” More than half of the 600 affected residents evacuated their houses but Appalasamy stayed put because he had no relatives or friends living nearby. Another resident Tan Bok Lan said she was resting at home when her daughter, who worked nearby, called home at 4pm on Sunday to tell her to shut all the doors and windows. “My sense of smell is not very good and I thought that the smell came from the cleaning my maid was doing,” said the 75-year-old. Tan, whose house is about 200m from the dumpsite, said that within minutes she started sneezing and experienced dryness in her throat and nose, and her eyes started smarting. Officers from the Department of Environment, Fire and Rescue Department and other agencies inspected the site yesterday. Segamat Fire and Rescue Department chief Masnan Ali said: “We have taken samples from the dumpsite to be sent to our laboratory in Johor Baru.” Police have closed off the road leading to the dumpsite.
Monday January 9, 2006
Villagers move out because of ammonia fumes
LABIS: Ammonia discharged due to a chemical reaction at an illegal dumpsite has caused more than 350 villagers from Kampung Sungai Gatom to be evacuated. The gas, believed to have resulted following heavy rains in the area over the past few days, has caused villagers to suffer from teary eyes, skin irritation, breathing difficulties, throat irritation and vomiting since 5pm on Sunday. So far no one has been warded but some villagers have sought treatment at clinics. At least 60% of the villager’s 600-odd residents have left their homes and moved in with relatives and friends living in nearby areas. Initial investigations showed that the gas discharged has resulted after some unknown chemicals were buried about 500m from the main road leading into the village. Senior officials from Department of Environment (DOE), Fire and Rescue Department and other agencies are at the location. Segamat Fire and Rescue Department chief Masnan Ali said the department had dispatched 10 firemen in a fire engine as soon as they received a call at 5.19pm on Sunday. He said a unit from the department’s Hazardous Materials Unit (Hazmat) was also stationed at the scene. “We have already taken samples from the dumpsite to be sent to our laboratory in Johor Baru,” he said.
Monday January 9, 2006
Ammonia leak at factory
Sunday December 25, 2005
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