Johor govt hopes gas detectors will remain placed in high-risk Pasir Gudang schools

JOHOR BARU (Bernama): The Johor government hopes that the gas detectors used to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs) will remain placed in high-risk schools in Pasir Gudang, says state Education, Human Resource, Science and Technology Committee chairman Aminolhuda Hassan (pic).

He said the priority for the placement of the gas detectors loaned by the Environment Department (DOE) would be given to the 10 schools located near the industrial area to enable the teachers to monitor the current condition of the air.

"I hope this could be fulfilled by the DOE or with the help from the industries in Pasir Gudang for the safety of the children in school,” he told reporters after visiting Sekolah Kebangsaan Taman Bukit Dahlia here Sunday (July 14).

However, he did not name the 10 schools.

Sunday is the last day for the placement of the gas detectors loaned to 111 schools in Pasir Gudang since June 20, following incidents of breathing difficulties and vomiting believed to be due to air pollution.

On the visit, he found that the air quality reading at the school had been at normal levels over the past week and the school session continued as usual at the ground floor of the school building.

In another development, Aminolhuda announced that a fund-raiser will be started to help Irfan Wafiy Idham Wazir, 12, who is suffering from myokymia, a nerve-related illness.

He said the fund-raiser would help to fund the cost of treatment for the Year Six pupil.

"After a meeting with his family and the Permas assemblyman, I will work on a special fund for Irfan Wafiy’s treatment.

"We hope members of the public and companies nearby could assist in providing treatment after he sits for his Ujian Pencapaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) exam this September,” he said.

He added that the costs and recommended treatment either locally or abroad as well as the form of assistance would be discussed later.

In the meantime, Irfan Wafiy's father, Idham Wazir A. Wahab, 49, expressed his gratitude on the setting up of the fund to assist with the treatment.

"I appreciate it, we do need assistance in terms of costs for the treatment, especially if it needs to be done overseas. Currently, I am bearing a lot of costs, for the treatment in Kuala Lumpur, traditional and alternative treatments and the supplements are all very specific not just the ordinary medications.

"The cost of treatment for myokymia seems high, I'm not sure (how much) but there is none in Malaysia. So far he only receives normal medications for seizures. But I limit the intake because I did not want it to affect his attention in school as it causes drowsiness,” he said. - Bernama