DENR orders Pasig plant to shut down

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) ordered yesterday the shutdown of a chemical plant in Pasig City following a gas leak that downed at least 26 students of a nearby elementary school.

Environment Secretary Michael Defensor said a notice of violation will also be issued to Chemphil-LMG following the results of an initial investigation conducted by the Environmental Management Bureau and a monitoring team composed of representatives from the DENR, the Department of Health, citizens‚ environment groups and the city government safety and sanitation staff.

An initial probe conducted by the EMB-National Capital Region and the monitoring team showed that the chemical factory operated by Chemphil-LMG showed that it exceeded the limit in sulfur dioxide emission as set by Republic Act 8749, or the Clean Air Act.

Sulfur dioxide is a colorless gas that is toxic and highly irritating to the respiratory system. It is usually emitted from the burning of coal and oil in electrical energy generation or heating as well as from internal combustion engines.

It is also released in the production of sulfuric acid. When released in massive amounts, the DENR said, sulfur dioxide may increase the atmosphere’s acidity and will form sulfuric acid and "acid rain" when combined with water vapor in the air.

Sulfuric acid, which the DENR said is being produced by the Chemphil-LMG plant, is used in the manufacture of fertilizers, lead acid batteries and insecticides.

According to reports, the Chemphil-LMG plant is located just a kilometer away from the San Joaquin Elementary School.

Police reports said classes at the school were disrupted at around 7:30 a.m. last Friday after the chemical plant emitted fumes that caused nausea among students. The affected students were rushed to a nearby health center and to the Pasig City General Hospital for treatment.

An investigation report prepared by the EMB-NCR said that Leo Bravo, pollution control officer of Chemphil-LMG, admitted that the plant was shut down twice last Thursday after its heat exchanger malfunctioned.

Bravo, according to the EMB-NCR report, also said that the plant was again shut down last Friday at 8 a.m. as the acid circulating pump of the plant had to be replaced.

In an interview, EMB director Julian Amador said a conference will be conducted tomorrow to determine what really caused the excess emission of sulfur dioxide from the plant.

Expected to attend the meeting are representatives from the Pasig City government, members of the monitoring team, representatives from Chemphil-LMG, as well as representatives from the San Joaquin Elementary School.

"We need to find out what really happened to make sure that this incident will not be repeated in the future," Amador said.