MALAYSIA – Nitric Acid Spill in Pasir Gudang Brought Under Control, Air Quality Unaffected

A nitric acid spill at a chemical waste management facility in the industrial area has been successfully contained on June 11, with authorities confirming that no toxic gases were detected and local air quality remains safe.

The Fire and Rescue Department concluded its response operation at 3.47pm after managing the leak, which involved approximately 100 litres of nitric acid stored in an intermediate bulk container.

Operations commander Firdaus Ahmad said air monitoring conducted throughout the operation using Gasmet and GFG four-gas detection equipment found no presence of hazardous or toxic gases. He added that the leaked substance was transferred into a scrubber system as a precautionary measure to prevent any release into the atmosphere. Samples of the chemical were also collected for further analysis.

Meanwhile, Johor Department of Environment (DoE) director Dr Mohd Famey Yusoff said a brief emission of yellow-orange fumes occurred during the incident but was quickly contained and had completely ceased.

According to him, the temporary release did not pose an immediate risk to the public. Nevertheless, the DoE, together with the state National Environmental Security Department, will continue monitoring air quality at two precautionary locations — SMK Taman Pasir Putih and SMK Pasir Gudang 3.

He noted that air quality readings recorded at both schools remained within normal levels, with no unusual conditions detected.

Photo credit: NSTP/VIRAL. All rights reserved.