DOH: Chemical that leaked not that hazardous to health

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday assured residents affected by the odor from a truck delivering styrene polymer monomer to a plastic factory in Quezon City that the liquid material and its vapor form are not that hazardous to the health.

"Lumilitaw naman sa mga dokumento, o environmental documents na hindi naman ganoon ha-health hazard as far as styrene monomer is concerned po," said DOH spokesperson Lyndon Lee-Suy in a report by Connie Sison on GMA News TV's Balintanghali.

The agency added that the inhaling the chemical for a short time can cause skin and eye irritation.

DOH also said that the affected residents do not need to evacuate because of the incident. However, they should see a physician if they experience difficulty of breathing in the coming days.

In Raffy Tima's interview with Quezon City administrator Aldrin Cuña in the same news program, the official said that the chemical leak is already under control. Residents can expect for the odor to die down soon.

"Hindi na po [lalala]. This is already under control... Within the next 24 hours, mawawala na po ang vapor na naaamoy nila," Cuña stressed.

The administrator also clarified earlier reports that the factory workers of D & L Industries only drained water, not chemicals, into the Pasig River. He said that the water was used to cool down machine.

"Tubig lang po iyong pinangbubuhos, walang chemical," he said.

The representatives of Quezon City's environment department were also on the site to monitor developments on the incident. — Trisha Macas/BM, GMA News