School under watch after complaints of smell

Safety precaution: Students wearing face masks at SK Taman Pasir Putih. Local authorities are monitoring the surrounding areas in Pasir Gudang and conducting continuous air quality checks after complains of a strong smell.

JOHOR BARU: An enforcement team comprising representatives of the Department of Environment (DoE) and the Fire and Rescue Department will be placed at SK Taman Pasir Putih throughout the examination period.

It will also monitor the surrounding areas in Pasir Gudang and conduct continuous air quality checks, said state Local Government, Urban Well-being and Environment committee chairman Tan Chen Choon.

This came about after 33 pupils from SK Taman Pasir Putih complained yesterday about a strong smell.

They also had breathing difficulties.

“We have received reports from the school about the pupils showing signs of nausea and vomiting.

“Of the 33 pupils, 17 of them were victims of a previous pollution case,” he said yesterday.

Tan said the team conducted air quality checks at the third and fourth floors of the school.

“The air quality reading showed no anomaly in the air. But we will continue to monitor the area for a while,” he said.

Pasir Gudang Fire and Rescue Department operation commander Ibrahim Omar said that nine officers were deployed to the school at 11.28am yesterday.

“We have also deployed three hazardous materials (hazmat) teams to conduct air quality checks in the area,” he said.