PUTRAJAYA: With the aftermath of the Putra Heights gas pipeline blast beginning to stabilize, experts in the environment are voicing their worries about conducting tests in the nearby region to check for possible residual harmful substances and atmospheric contamination remaining from the blaze.
The vice-president of the Environment Protection Society of Malaysia, Randolph Jeremiah, stated that the ash and burnt remnants remaining in the impacted regions could lead to localized air contamination.
These currently desolate areas might be concealing large amounts of ash and other burned debris, which could result in localized air pollution similar to smog appearing suddenly, especially when the weather is dry.
It would be prudent to test the surrounding contaminated zones for any harmful residue levels to ascertain whether decontaminating the area is necessary.
“He stated that a waste management plan ought to be put into action promptly to methodically remove and discard the rubble, succeeded by site rehabilitation aimed at landscaping and reintroducing vegetation to rejuvenate the region.”
The President of Sahabat Alam Malaysia, Meena Raman, stated that the uncertain period during which gas leaked from the pipeline prior to the explosion might have released harmful greenhouse gases such as methane into the surroundings, potentially impacting the wellbeing of local wildlife.
Methane has the potential to decrease oxygen levels in the surroundings, leading to various health problems for both humans and animals including vision impairment, nausea, and vomiting.
Particles measuring up to 2.5 micrometres in size or smaller, as well as inhalable dust particles with diameters of 10 micrometres or less, might have escaped into the surroundings through the pipeline. This leakage can lead to respiratory issues for both animals and humans.
"Volatile organic compounds such as benzene that have leaked can generate ground-level smog, which may lead to adverse effects on the neurological and cardiovascular systems of local wildlife," she explained.
Meena mentioned that the combustion of plastics and various materials in local residences might have led to an emission of fine particles and volatile substances, which could disturb both people and wildlife in the vicinity.
She highlighted that synthetic substances like rubber, plastics, upholstery, paints, or foam might have emitted hydrogen cyanide upon being burned, potentially causing effects akin to those of methane inhalation.
She likewise expressed worry that the asbestos in the buildings might have caught fire, leading to dangerous asbestos fibers being dispersed into the surrounding area.
The intense heat produced by the blaze along with the powerful gusts of wind on that particular day might have carried them quite far away from the damaged zone.
"Fortunately, provided that the remnants from the fire aren’t substantially disrupted, the chance of airborne asbestos fibre exposure to the public and nearby residents remains minimal since the concentration of these fibres in the air becomes quite low some time after the fire has been extinguished," she stated.
She mentioned that contaminants might also have entered the environment due to the use of foams and various fire-retardant materials employed to put out the blaze, leading to potential long-lasting impacts on the ecosystem.
“Contaminant air deposition and contaminated soils could serve as a long-term source of stormwater, surface water and groundwater contamination.
“As such, besides monitoring air quality, the government should also monitor soil, groundwater and surface water quality and abatement measures. Clean-ups should also be taken accordingly.”