Three months ago, in March, toxic chemical waste was illegally dumped into Sungai Kim Kim in Pasir Gudang, Johor, affecting some 4,000 people who sought treatment for shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting after inhaling toxic fumes. In the most recent incident in Taman Mawar on June 22, 75 students from neighbouring schools were affected.
The waste thrown into Sungai Kim Kim has since been identified as marine oil waste which emits flammable methane and benzene fumes.
Alarmingly, the risk of future contamination still remains with the existence of at least 250 chemical plants among the 2,005 factories in Pasir Gudang.(Malay Mail).
When are we going to learn the simple truth that healthy rivers make for healthy living?
