Chemical Spill Sickens 11 At Proton City Factory

IPOH, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- Eleven workers at a factory in Bandar Proton City near Tanjong Malim suffered breathing difficulties and eye irritation after being exposed to a spill of isocyanate-based chemicals this afternoon.  

Perak Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) acting assistant director of operations, Shazlean Mohd Hanafiah said nine firefighters from the Tanjong Malim Fire and Rescue Station (BBP) rushed to the scene upon receiving an emergency call at 2.42 pm.  

“Investigations found that a leak had occurred in the piping system, causing about 15 litres of the chemical to spill.  

“All the victims were sent to a nearby clinic before the fire department team arrived,” he said in a statement today.  

Shazlean said the operations commander contacted the Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) team for advice and cleaning procedures.  

“The leak was successfully sealed and cleaning works were carried out using sand in the affected area. 

“Cleaning and containment operations are still ongoing at the scene,” he added.

MEANWHILE, Muallim Deputy District Police Chief DSP Suhaimi Muhamad, in a separate statement, said police received a report from the Tanjung Malim Health Clinic at about 2.20 pm regarding the incident.  

He said the clinic reported the matter after several victims sought treatment, claiming they had inhaled chemical fumes at the factory.  

“In the incident, a total of 23 male local workers were affected and received treatment after inhaling chemical gases (isocyanates) while carrying out maintenance work at the site.  

“All the victims, aged between 19 and 45, were sent to Slim River Hospital for further treatment and are all in stable condition,” he said.  

He added that the situation is now under control and there is no further threat to public safety.

-- BERNAMA