PONTIAN: An ammonia gas leak at a spring roll pastry factory here was contained successfully. No one was injured in the 2.03pm incident yesterday.
Fire and Rescue Department operation commander senior fire officer Mohd Hasnan Abd Rahman said an ammonia gas pipe leaked, releasing 50 litres of the gas.
"Upon our arrival at the location seven minutes later, the workers were evacuated from the building as a precautionary measure.
"We then transferred the remaining 100 litres of the leaking tank to a secure, adjacent tank," he said in a statement, today.
A hazardous materials (Hazmat) team deployed to the scene, measured the ammonia levels on the ground floor and first floor of the factory, which registered a safe 0.45 parts per million (ppm) concentration.
Ammonia gas is colourless with a strong, pungent smell commonly used in industrial processes.
Upon inhalation, it can cause respiratory irritation, eye damage, and, at high concentrations, severe burns to skin and lungs.
It is also flammable and corrosive. If swallowed, ammonia can be corrosive and cause diarrhoea and dizziness.
Hasnan said while the situation was stabilised, the factory and its appointed contractors were tasked to its maintenance and are responsible to decontamination in affected areas.
The 19 personnel deployed to the scene, effectively managed the incident without any harm to any members of the public.