THE Chemistry Department has yet to identify the source of the toxic fumes that caused schoolchildren to sicken in Pasir Gudang, said Yeo Bee Yin.

The energy, technology, science, climate change, and environment minister said the department has gone through the list of all the possible chemicals that could have poisoned the children but nothing has turned up.

“We have gone through all the possible chemicals that could have caused this incident but all came back negative,” she said at Menara Aqabah in Pasir Gudang today.

“We will continue to check the blood and urine samples that we have taken from the victims.

Since the first cases of toxic fumes inhalation were reported last week, the state government has ordered all schools in Pasir Gudang to close until tomorrow. More than 300 schoolchildren have been treated for breathing difficulties and vomiting.

The state authorities, meanwhile, are checking more than 30 factories in the area. They believe some of these factories could be responsible for toxic fumes emission.

Yeo said it was suspected that those responsible for the pollution had cleaned up the evidence.

“There is no cause and effect to say that this incident was caused by the fumes from the factories here. 

“In the Sg Kim Kim case we had physiological evidence of what had caused the pollution.

“We now have the symptoms, but we don’t know the chemical cause of it.

“But we will continue to monitor and ensure that the factories don’t emit toxic fumes.” 

She said there are 2,005 factories in Pasir Gudang of which 250 are chemical factories. 

“Because of this the air quality in this area is not good and he people here are at risk. 

“We will also be setting up a monitoring station for air pollution in Pasir Gudang in the near future so that we can act quick if there is an incident. 

“We are also looking to have a buffer zone between the factories and the housing areas and schools which will have to be discussed further,” she said.

State Health, Culture and Heritage Committee chairman Mohd Khuzzan Abu Bakar said that no new patients have been warded.

“There are only six patients in the ward. The clinical samples that we took from all eight patients were negative.

“We are still looking for the cause of the pollution. Compared to Sg Kim Kim this time around it is different.” 

On whether it is safe for the children to go back to school, Khuzzan said the schools will only reopen on Sunday. 

“We will continue to monitor the air quality within a 15km radius of the schools.” – June 26, 2019.