No hydrochloric acid contamination detected in Sungai Cherating after tanker spill, says Pahang DOE

KUANTAN, June 14 — The Pahang Department of Environment (DOE) said no acid contamination had been detected in Sungai Cherating following a hydrochloric acid spill from an overturned tanker near the Cherating Bridge yesterday.

The department said the accident site was about 100 metres from the river.

Water samples taken at three locations within the surrounding mangrove area recorded a normal pH level of six.

“Meanwhile, pH monitoring using YSI equipment in Sungai Cherating recorded a reading of 9.4, indicating that no acid contamination had occurred in the river,” the DOE said in a statement today.

DOE enforcement officers were dispatched to the scene after receiving reports of the accident involving a tanker carrying hydrochloric acid at about 8.45am yesterday to assess any potential environmental impact.

Initial investigations found that the tanker, which had been transporting nearly 25 tonnes of hydrochloric acid from Pasir Gudang in Johor to Kemaman in Terengganu, had overturned.

“The Fire and Rescue Department successfully sealed the air vent at the rear of the tank to prevent a larger spill.

“An estimated 1,000 litres of the chemical was released and subsequently neutralised using soda ash, with no further leakage detected,” the statement said.

The DOE said any release of pollutants found to be in breach of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 would be thoroughly investigated, with enforcement action taken where necessary.

It added that regular monitoring would continue at the site and surrounding areas to ensure there were no delayed environmental effects and that clean-up measures were fully implemented.