GEORGE TOWN – Ten schools in the Nibong Tebal district will be closed tomorrow onwards for three days due to the toxic fumes emanating from the nearby Pulau Burung landfill that caught fire days ago.
The affected schools are SJKT Ladang Byram, SJKC Pai Teik, SMK Seri Nibong, SJKT Nibong Tebal, SK Seri Sentosa, SK Keledang Jaya, SJKT Ladang Changkat, SMK Methodist, SK Methodist and SK Nibong Tebal.
State exco member Phee Boon Poh said in a statement that the air quality level in the vicinity of the landfill fire is at AEGL (ecute Exposure Guidelines Level) 3 – affecting public health and well-being.
Residents must also wear masks when outdoors in the district due to the toxic fumes.
The affected schools have been directed to notify families, guardians, canteen and school bus operators, while online classes will be set up as a temporary measure.
The decision was made at last night’s district disaster council meeting.
The landfill has been ablaze for the past five days, the fire spreading due to the piles of solid waste there.
It is estimated that the Fire and Rescue Department will need another seven days to extinguish the blaze.
Meanwhile, the incident has triggered a haze in southern Penang.
The state government has yet to decide an appropriate action to impose on the landfill operator. – The Vibes, January 18, 2022
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