THE authorities are still unable to pinpoint the source of the latest case of contamination in Pasir Gudang, Johor, as toxicology tests have failed to show any contaminants, said Yeo Bee Yin.

“In the Sg Kim Kim incident, the contaminants found in the victims’ blood and urine samples matched the chemical contaminant acrolynitrile while the toxicology tests on 85 samples taken from 42 students were negative,” the energy, science, technology, environment and climate change minister told the Dewan Rakyat this morning.

Yeo said in the Sg Kim Kim case in March, the contaminant identified at source and found in the victims’ blood samples matched the air dispersion model that simulated the spread of gases according to the direction and speed of the winds.

“But in the current case, the location of the cases were far apart. Simulation tests on the location of the victims also cannot pinpoint the source of contamination.”

“And while the Sg Kim Kim affected students had difficulty breathing when the gas levels were high, it is not the case now.

“Many of the students in this incident experienced nausea and breathing difficulties when the readings at the same locations were normal,” said Yeo.

Yeo said there is a high possibility there are multiple sources in the latest incident of air pollution in Pasir Gudang.

The minister was responding to Azalina Othman Said (Pengerang-BN) who asked about the measures taken by the government to prevent another air pollution incident in Pasir Gudang.

Meanwhile, the authorities have inspected 172 premises and issued 98 compounds and 46 notices to factories in the affected areas of Pasir Gudang.

“As of July 4, nine premises have been stopped from operating while two court actions have begun,” said Yeo.

Since June 20, 310 schoolchildren and three teachers from 31 schools have complained of breathing difficulties in breathing, of which 127 were treated at clinics and three hospitalised 

Pasir Gudang is home to 2,005 factories, 250 of which deals in chemicals. – July 4, 2019.