IPOH: Two individuals were rushed to the hospital following an ammonia gas leak at an ice factory in Persiaran Industri Rapat Simpang Pulai here, today.
The victims are a 33-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man who work at the nearby factory. They were rushed to the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital (HRPB) here for further treatment.
Perak Fire and Rescue Department director Sayani Saidon said that the department received a distress call at 5.11am.
She said a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) and an Emergency Medical Rescue Service (EMRS) from the Simpang Pulai Fire and Rescue Station, assisted by a team of Pasir Puteh Fire and Rescue Station's Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Unit were rushed to the scene.
"According to the factory supervisor, there was a leak in the ammonia gas channel pipe where the gas could be smelled at a distance of 30 to 90 metres.
"The Hazmat team immediately carried out a risk assessment at the scene and made a 'water curtain' technique where firemen entered the identified area to close the leak on the tank valve," she said.
She said initially, the ammonia gas reading in the area of the premises was at 500 ppm (parts per million) and as of 2.30pm, the reading reduced to 300 ppm.
Sayani added that operations are still underway to neutralise the reading of ammonia gas in the factory using several methods including flushing and dilution.
"Operations are still ongoing by taking readings periodically until the factory is completely safe for workers and its surrounding area," she added.