THE 12 people admitted to the intensive care unit as a result of chemical waste poisoning in Pasir Gudang are out of danger, said Health Minister Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad.

He said the 12 are in stable condition, adding there have been no deaths as a result of the chemical waste dumping.

“There were 12 cases in the ICU as of last night. Some are intubated for ventilation but other than that, they are all out of immediate danger,” he told a press conference on the status updates of the patients, in Parliament today.

He said he had visited the hospital to check on the patients’ condition.
 
“We have treated them; we are confident they will be well treated.”

He said since March 7,  937 people have been treated for inhalation of toxic fumes.

“Yesterday alone there were 162 cases. Of these, 108 were warded and the rest given light treatment,” he said.

He said the hospitals in Johor are well equipped to handle critical cases.

Following the dumping of toxic waste in Pasir Gudang, 111 schools in the area have been closed until further notice.

According to the Department of Environment, petroleum was dumped into Sg Kim Kim. Among the chemicals contaminating the area are methane, hydrogen chloride, acrylonitrile, acrolein, benzene, toulene, xylene and limonene. – March 14, 2019.