SUNGAI PETANI: A quick action by the workers of a glove manufacturing plant in responding to a leakage of natural latex and chemical mixture incident has managed to avert potential pollution to a nearby river stream.

The Kedah Environment Department office director Sharifah Zakiah Syed Sahab said the 9am incident unfolded following a leakage on a raw material pipeline that linked to the processing area.

"The plant immediately carried out a spill containment procedure and cleaning up works after detecting the leakage under the initial supervision by a Competent Person employee who was trained and registered with the department.

"Following the report, Kedah Environment Department has visited the site to monitor the cleaning up works that has been completed by 2.16pm," she said in a statement.

Zakiah said checks showed that there was no pollution in the nearby river stream.

She added that the spilled material had been directed to the plant's effluent treatment while some had been disposed of as scheduled waste to the premises licensed by the department.

"Therefore, the department wishes to stress the importance of having a Competent Person among the employees in managing plant operations as required under Section 49A(1) of the Environmental Quality Act 1974.

"The Kedah Environment Department is satisfied with the actions taken by the Competent Person and the other staff at the plant in managing the spill."

Zakiah urged the public to convey any information on any activity that pollutes the environment by contacting 1-800-88-2727 and http://eaduan.doe.gov.my.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2024/05/1053985/quick-action-glove-plant-employees-averts-pollution-sg-petani-river