Gas detectors near schools still necessary, says rep – Nation

PASIR GUDANG: Gas monitors which can detect volatile organic compounds (VOC) should continue to be placed near 10 schools located within the industrial area, says Johor Education, Human Resource, Science and Technology Committee chairman Aminolhuda Hassan.
The air quality near these schools needs to be constantly monitored, he said.
Aminolhuda did not identify these schools but said they were located next to factories in Pasir Gudang.
“We hope that the Department of Environment (DoE) will continue to have these detectors readily available at these high-risk schools, so that early precautions can be taken to deal with chemical pollution.
“At the moment, the air quality surrounding these schools is safe but we have detected the presence of VOC gases in the area,” he told the press after checking the air quality at SK Taman Bukit Dahlia here yesterday.
The toxic pollution in Sungai Kim Kim in March affected about 4,000 residents in the Pasir Gudang area, leading to the temporary closure of 111 schools in Johor.
Some 1,138 students were also treated for breathing difficulties from June 20 to July 5.
Aminolhuda said schools around Pasir Gudang would continue to hold classes in the lower floors and keep the third and fourth levels empty.
“We will continue to do this until we receive further notice from the DoE,” he added.
Johor DoE director Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaafar said the department was still waiting for confirmation on whether they would be able to continue placing the multi-gas detectors in schools in Pasir Gudang.
He said the DoE will continue to monitor the air quality near the schools.
It was earlier reported that the department had sent gas detectors to almost all the 111 schools in Pasir Gudang.
The detectors were supposed to be returned to the DoE yesterday.
Industries in Pasir Gudang are expected to provide gas detectors permanently to the schools but the date of the distribution has yet to be confirmed by the state government.


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