Chemical Spill `Under Control’

SEREMBAN: Swift action by fire and rescue personnel to contain a chemical spill in an industrial area at Taman Tuanku Jaafar in Senawang near here yesterday, prevented its water channels from being polluted.

District Fire and Rescue Department operations chief Jaafar Yusof said the leak was traced to a factory and nearby plants were told to shut their water outlets to prevent further contamination.

The department received a call from the factory at 11.43am yesterday. Its personnel examined the contamination and conducted a suction exercise as the chemical had flowed into a drain.

“So far, we have collected and sent 23 tanks of the chemical to the state Department of Environment for disposal.

“I was informed that the spillage is a water-based emulsion and does not pose any danger to the environment. It is only dangerous in its concentrated form.”

More than 12 personnel, including Hazardous Materials Unit personnel and staff from the factory, managed to contain the leak within the 1.5km-long drain.

The road near the drain will be closed temporarily.

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