THE Environment Department (DoE) has identified three chemical-based factories as the likely sources of the air pollution in Pasir Gudang last month

Director-general of the DoE Norlin Jaafar, said high levels of methyl mercaptan were detected in the factories which were located within a three-kilometre radius of Sekolah Agama Taman Mawar and SK Pasir Gudang 4.

Students in the two schools were among the first to be affected and show symptoms such as vomiting, nausea and shortness of breath.

“The three factories will stop operations. We are in the process of completing our investigation before we take action and prosecute them,” Norlin told reporters at the Johor DoE headquarters here today.

The factories were among the 257 chemical factories that the department had inspected between June 20 and July 1.

She said the 134 particles per million (ppm) of methyl mercaptan, a colourless gas with a distinct odour, detected in the area was above the permissible level of 40ppm. 

Acrylonitrile and acrolein were also detected in the area but their readings were too low to trigger symptoms such as vomiting and breathing difficulties, said Norlin.

“According to the preliminary reports of the Pasir Gudang Municipal Council and the state Land and Mines Office, there are 18 illegal factories operating in Pasir Gudang.

“The rest will be checked later and action will be taken by the relevant agencies,” she said.

Earlier, Norlin urged the public to come forward with information on pollution cases as the department was offering a reward of RM5,000.

She added that the identity of the informers would not be revealed. – Bernama, July 19, 2019.