PASIR GUDANG: The authorities are having difficulty in pinpointing the exact cause of the air pollution here as urine and blood tests from victims have turned out negative.
Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin said the samples failed to detect any substances which caused the symptoms in the victims.
"This is different from the Sungai Kim Kim case where we had physiological evidence of the presence of several substances, including traces of cyanide, which enabled us to identified the exact cause.
"This time around, the victims are showing the symptoms but the tests have turned out negative. So it is difficult for us to pinpoint the exact cause," she said at a press conference at Menara Aqabah here. Also present was state Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar.
According to Yeo, as a precaution, the authorities have ordered the removal of all chemical substances which might have caused the air pollution, from factories in the area.
So far, a total of 100 tonnes of chemical substances have been removed.
She said the government also planned to set up a permanent air pollutant monitoring station in Pasir Gudang which would carry out continuous monitoring of air quality levels in the area.
"This is part of our efforts be more proactive, as the station would be able to detect any pollutant in the air for immediate action.
"The details and design of the station will be discussed further. We hope to have it up and running as soon as possible," said Yeo. adding that the government had also proposed the creation of a Prediction of Chemical Dispersion system that would be the standard reference to ensure that all substances in Pasir Gudang were within the normal range.
"We will also study the possibility of creating a buffer zone between the industrial and residential areas," said Yeo.
Meanwhile, Khuzzan said only six victims still remain warded at the hospital.
"As of noon today, there was no new admission. Schools will also reopen on Sunday, depending on the air quality reading," he said.