JOHOR BARU: The state government, the Department of Environment (DOE) and Pasir Gudang Municipal Council (MPPG) today inspected the sewage treatment plants near Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Taman Pasir Putih, Pasir Gudang suspected as the source of foul odour here today.
State Local Government, Urban Wellbeing and Environment Committee chairman Tan Chen Choon said the inspection was carried out following an incident which caused 33 students of the school to suffer from vomiting, breathlessness and headaches yesterday.
He said the inspection was conducted with DOE director Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar as well as MPPG engineers.
“I have instructed MPPG to check the inlet and outlet parameters of all sewage treatment plants under their purview more frequently so that actions can be taken immediately if the inspection readings were found to be not meeting the stipulated standards,” he said in a statement here today.
Meanwhile, Tan said so far the situation at Pasir Gudang especially at SK Taman Pasir Putih was under control and the air quality reading was normal yesterday.
“Nonetheless, the state government has taken the decision to continue stepping up monitoring and tightening enforcement throughout Pasir Gudang with related agencies.
“Basically, efforts to find the source of pollution is complex but I and the agencies involved will try our best to wipe out all possible sources in the incident,” he said.
Yesterday morning, 33 pupils of SK Taman Pasir Putih were affected by a strong stench even though none of them were referred to the hospital and they were allowed to go home after being treated at a health clinic. — Bernama
