A TOTAL of 2.43 tonnes of chemicals were collected from Sg Kim Kim on the day the dumping was reported on March 7.

Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said the relevant agencies worked until 11pm that day.

“The authorities received a report on the chemical dump at 5.15am, and immediately responded, especially the Fire and Rescue Department.

“At 9.30am, the exact dumping site was located, and cleaning-up works commenced almost immediately,” he told reporters at the state Disaster Management Committee operations centre in Pasir Gudang today.

He said on March 8, the clean-up had to be stopped following a notification by the Environment Department that the chemical waste is hazardous and the cleaning operation must abide by safety regulations.

“Works resumed yesterday, undertaken by the appointed contractor.”

He said as of 8pm yesterday, 947 people had sought treatment for shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting.

They include 82 still warded at Sultan Ismail Hospital, 85 at Sultanah Aminah Hospital, 39 at Pasir Gudang KPJ Hospital and three at Regency Hospital. – Bernama, March 14, 2019.