Latest news with #chemicalspill
Malay Mail
13 hours ago
- General
- Malay Mail
Singapore lifts warning on water activities, fishing near Tuas Second Link after chemical spill
SINGAPORE, July 31 — Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) has cleared the public to resume water-based activities and recreational fishing around Tuas Second Link, including near Raffles Marina, following a chemical spill last week. According to a report by The Straits Times, the agency updated its advisory in a Facebook post on July 30, lifting a previous warning issued on July 24. The initial alert was prompted by a road accident on the Malaysian side of the Second Link, where a collision involving two tankers caused a container carrying propylene glycol to fall into the sea. NEA said it has since been monitoring water quality along the Johor Strait and around the affected area. The agency noted that recent tests showed water conditions remain within normal levels, with only trace amounts of the chemical detected. The Singapore Food Agency has also been engaging local fish farms, and there have been no reports of impact so far. NEA said local fish stocks are safe for consumption. National water agency PUB is also keeping an eye on seawater intake at desalination plants. There are currently no disruptions, including at Tuas South Desalination Plant, the largest of the five facilities, three of which are located in Tuas. Propylene glycol is commonly used in food, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and is considered safe for people and marine life in small quantities. It also breaks down naturally in water, NEA said in an earlier statement.
CNA
6 days ago
- CNA
Chemical tank accident: Public urged to avoid water activities near Tuas Second Link, Raffles Marina
The public has been urged to avoid waters near the Tuas Second Link, including the area around Raffles Marina. This, after a chemical tank fell into the sea after a collision between two heavy tankers on the Malaysian side of the checkpoint on Thursday evening. The National Environment Agency has advised the public to refrain from water activities as a precaution. The tank contained propylene glycol, a chemical commonly found in food and cosmetics. Officials said the substance is not hazardous and breaks down naturally in water. Raffles Marina is postponing sailing races originally scheduled for this weekend, while fish farms said they have contingency plans in place. Nadirah Zaidi and Ivy Chok report.
Malay Mail
23-07-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Malaysia and Singapore boost cross-border safety with successful chemical spill drill
ISKANDAR PUTERI, July 23 — Malaysia and Singapore today tested their joint emergency response plan with a cross-border chemical spill simulation at the Second Link, where over 150,000 tonnes of hazardous chemicals are transported annually. The drill was designed to test the effectiveness of the Joint Emergency Response Plan (JERP) under the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Committee on the Environment (MSJCE) in handling unforeseen incidents on the crucial crossing. Department of Environment (DOE) director-general Datuk Wan Abdul Latiff Wan Jaffar said the exercise aims to increase the level of preparedness and coordination between the two countries when dealing with hazardous chemical spills. 'We are confident that the commitment and close cooperation between the agencies from both countries will continue to be strengthened,' he told reporters after the conclusion of the 14th Chemical Emergency Response Exercise. The exercise was jointly conducted by Malaysia's DOE and Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA). Wan Abdul Latiff explained that the JERP, which was gazetted on July 7, involves 15 related agencies from both nations and enables a more efficient and comprehensive response. Also present was NEA chief executive officer Wong Kang Jet, who said the success of the simulation demonstrated the strong bilateral commitment between Malaysia and Singapore. 'This year, MSJCE included new elements in the exercise with different chemicals and response approaches,' Wong said. 'This is to ensure that we remain well-prepared and well-equipped to deal with constantly evolving chemical incidents.' The biennial exercise simulated a multi-vehicle accident on the Second Link that led to the release of two highly hazardous chemical substances.
ABC News
22-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Australian Pet Brands to upgrade Dubbo facility after chemical leak
A pet food manufacturer will spend more than $1.3 million upgrading safety systems at its facility in central west New South Wales after a chemical spill in 2023. Australian Pet Brands (APB), also known as Real Pet Food Co, has entered a legally binding agreement with the NSW Environment Protection Authority after 300 litres of phosphoric acid leaked from a drum inside a production tower at its Dubbo facility in August 2023, due to a faulty valve. The chemical, used to extend the shelf life of pet food, spread across multiple levels of the building and triggered an emergency clean-up by hazardous materials (HAZMAT) crews. EPA executive director of regulatory operations Jason Gordon said the enforceable undertaking, a legal agreement used as an alternative to prosecution, would ensure the company was held to account. "Fortunately, no environmental harm occurred, but the potential risk was significant," he said. "APB must pay more than a million dollars in major infrastructure upgrades to reduce the likelihood of similar events and ensure any incidents can be contained and addressed quickly and effectively." As part of the agreement, APB agreed it would relocate its acid dosing system to the ground floor, automate manual systems such as valve controls, strengthen containment and improve staff training and inspections. The company will also contribute $75,000 to the Wambangalang Environmental Education Centre to help repair and upgrade its model wetland learning facility. APB has been contacted for comment. Mr Gordon said the EPA would closely monitor the company's compliance with the agreement through detailed progress reporting. "These changes will not only make the site safer for workers, but they'll also provide stronger protection for the environment by improving how chemicals are stored, handled and monitored," Mr Gordon said.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aussie pet food company agrees to pay $1.3 million after 'serious' environmental incident
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has agreed to an undertaking from an Australian pet food company that it will spend more than $1.375 million on safety equipment upgrades following an incident at its factory. The legally binding agreement was made after 300 litres of phosphoric acid spilled from a drum at the Australian Pet Brands facility in Dubbo, NSW. The acid is a common ingredient in pet food, and often used in very small quantities to improve flavour or prolong shelf-life. But the scope of the incident was so serious, emergency HAZMAT crews were called in to respond, and they discovered the liquid had spread across multiple floors. Jason Gordon, the EPA executive director of regulatory operations, described the 2023 event as a 'serious chemical spill', which therefore 'demanded' a response from emergency services. 'Fortunately, no environmental harm occurred, but the potential risk was significant,' he added. Pictures supplied to Yahoo News show the plastic tank that overflowed was severely discoloured by the spill. It occurred due to a faulty valve inside the factory's production tower. What changes will the pet food factory make? Under the agreement, Australian Pet Brands, will spend over $1 million relocating its acid dosing system from the top to the ground floor. It will also automate manual systems and improve training to reduce the likelihood of similar incidents. 'These changes will not only make the site safer for workers, but they'll also provide stronger protection for the environment by improving how chemicals are stored, handled and monitored,' Gordon said. 🥊 Aussie publican receives death threats after filming controversial act with kangaroo 🔎 Rare species with less than a thousand in the wild tracked down ☠️ Warning signs placed around Australian shopping centre after mass poisoning The company will also pay $75,000 to a local environmental charity. The EPA said the outcome holds the company to account while also helping to improve safety at the site. Australian Pet Brands has been contacted for comment. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
