A TOTAL of 119 people have been discharged from Sultanah Aminah and Sultan Ismail Hospitals as of midnight, following the Sg Kim Kim chemical pollution first reported on March 7.

Johor Health, Environment and Agriculture Committee chairman Dr Sahruddin Jamal said this brings down the number of patients warded at the hospitals to 29 from yesterday’s 120.

He said four are still in the intensive care unit – down from seven – and are in stable condition.

In a statement today, Dr Sahruddin said 30 teams under the Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry will be mobilised to monitor air quality at 42 schools within 9km of the river.

“The teams, comprising Environment Department and Chemistry Department personnel, will conduct comprehensive monitoring starting today.”

He said portable gas detectors will be used to monitor air quality in the affected areas.

“Five parameters to be monitored are oxygen, carbon monoxide, low exposure limit, volatile organic compounds and hydrogen sulfide.”

Meanwhile, the Education Ministry will decide whether to reopen the 111 schools in Pasir Gudang after a briefing by the Disaster Management Committee today.

Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik, in a statement, said the safety of teachers, students and school staff is the ministry’s priority.

“I will attend the briefing… at the main operations room in Pasir Gudang. The results of the briefing will determine whether the schools are safe to be reopened.”

He said he is happy to see many teachers and students showing signs of recovery after receiving treatment.

“I believe in a few more days, more people will be allowed to go home.

“I once again condemn the irresponsible and inhumane act that led to this catastrophic disaster, and affected the health and safety of the people in Pasir Gudang.” – Bernama, March 18, 2019.