JOHOR BARU: The State Environment Department has collected samples from a river near the three housing estates here where a strong chemical odour was detected early this morning.
Its director Dr Mohd Famey Yusoff said the samples were collected as part of the department's thorough checks into the case after residents at the affected housing areas complained of nausea due to the odour.
He, however, said investigations are ongoing to identify the source of the odour pollution.
Residents in Taman Daya, Mount Austin, and Taman Istimewa, were alarmed by a strong chemical-like odour that lingered from midnight until the early hours of the morning today.
Taman Daya resident Norhayuda Ahmad, 26, told Harian Metro that she first smelled the nauseating, nasal-piercing foul odour around midnight.
She also said her mother who lives with her, suffered from asthma, while her other family members began developing headaches.
"We decided to make their way to my sister's house in Bandar Seri Alam, Pasir Gudang.
"The odour became unbearable and we left the area at about 2am," she said.
Another resident, Roslan Basiran, 40, said his family started coughing severely after the chemical odour appeared.
State Fire and Rescue Department were alerted of the foul chemical odour at 1.30am.
Its operation commander Khairul Azhar Abd Aziz said the source of the odour is yet to be determined and operations are ongoing.