PUTRAJAYA: The Environment Department has placed two air quality measurement tools at Sekolah Kebangsaan Meru, Klang, following a fire at a paint processing factory in Meru Industrial Park on Monday (April 29) where thick plumes of smoke were released into the air.

Its director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said that as of 8pm on Monday, gas pollutant measurements conducted using a portable multi-gas analyser with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) technology did not detect any toxic gases in the atmosphere.

"Nevertheless, periodic air quality assessments will continue until the situation returns to normal," he said in a statement on Tuesday (April 30).

He also said that the air quality monitoring station in Pandamaran, Klang nearby, recorded an Air Pollutant Index (API) reading of 69 at 8pm, indicating a moderate level and below the limit set by Malaysia Ambient Air Quality Standard.

Following the destruction of the raw material storage area on the premises, Wan Abdul Latiff said they had also issued a directive for the clean-up and disposal of burnt chemical waste at licensed premises.

He also said field assessments found that drains around the SK Meru area have been contaminated with green pigment.

He stressed that while the clean-up was fully completed on Monday evening, monitoring water flow from firefighting activities continues to ensure it did not flow to drains outside the premises nor affect water quality.

In the 6.20am incident on Monday, a paint processing plant at the Meru Industrial Park where flammable raw materials containing organic solvents in storage were razed. – Bernama

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2024/04/30/close-eye-on-klang-air-quality-after-paint-factory-fire