PASIR GUDANG: The air quality reading in Pasir Gudang was normal as of noon Thursday (Aug 24) following a gas leak at PLO 408, Idemitsu (M) Sdn Bhd in Jalan Pekeliling the day before.
The Johor Environment Department said it had also placed monitoring equipment in the surrounding residential areas to monitor and collect air quality data.
Johor Fire and Rescue Department (Bomba) Operations and Rescue Division assistant director senior officer I Azmi Ab Rahim a long-range detector found that the site of the leak was also safe.
“Air pollution index (API) readings were taken using Gasmet," he said, referring to the gas analysis systems and emission monitoring solution used to measure gaseous emissions for industrial processes.
Azmi added that temperature monitoring was also done periodically.
He said detection conducted during the operation using Gasmet and a long-distance detection vehicle also found the air content was normal and in the warm/hot zone at midnight.
“The chemical leak was caused by ruptures in a tank, resulting in the emission of styrene gas," he said, adding that an operation to contain the leak began at 9pm Wednesday (Aug 23).
He added that a Hazmat (hazardous materials) team and the company's emergency response team managed to bring the temperature of the tank under control by 2am.
Azmi said they had also inserted foam into the tank to cover the leak.
According to the department's findings, no one at the site or in the vicinity had experienced any symptoms of gas inhalation.
The Johor Health Department said there were no cases of people being affected by the gas leak being referred to government hospitals or clinics as of noon.
However, Azmi urged anyone who began experiencing symptoms to seek treatment immediately at the nearest health clinic.
According to online resources, styrene poisoning affects the nervous system and may cause tiredness, changes in perception of colour, dizziness, clumsiness or slow reaction times, among others.
Meanwhile, Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim said Johor Bomba and other agencies managed to contain the gas leak by midnight.
“I urge Pasir Gudang residents to remain calm and follow updates from the Environment Department," he said.
Besides the Environment Department, the Johor Bomba operation was also assisted by Hazmat teams from Melaka and Negri Sembilan, as well as personnel from the Johor police, Pasir Gudang City Council and Malaysian Civil Defence Force.
