BFP: Caloocan ice plant with ammonia leak now at zero toxic level

The ice plant that suffered an ammonia leak in Barangay 168, Deparo, Caloocan City has dropped to zero toxic level, the Bureau of Fire Protection said Wednesday night.

“Dakong 7:40 ng umaga, natukoy ang pinagmulan ng leak at ito ay agad na na-seal. Pagsapit ng 6:30 ng gabi, idineklara ng Caloocan BFP na zero toxic level na ang lugar,” the Caloocan City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO) said in a social media post.

(At around 7:40 a.m., the source of the leak was identified and immediately sealed. By 6:30 p.m., the Caloocan BFP declared that the area has zero toxic levels.)

It added the contaminated water has been properly sealed for appropriate disposal.

The Caloocan City CDRRMO also reminded the public to follow the advisories of authorities to ensure safety.

In a Super Radyo dzBB report, at least 10 people were brought to a hospital due to difficulty in breathing, while 90 others were evacuated after the ammonia leaked.

Residents smelled the foul odor past 4 a.m., according to information gathered by the BFP.

“Upon arrival, responders immediately initiated containment measures including the closure of all valves, shutdown of the main electrical breaker, and preparation and installation of ventilation equipment to mitigate the spread of hazardous fumes,” BFP Caloocan said.

According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras,” representatives from the City Environmental Office visited the site to assess the possible liabilities of the plant owner under environmental laws. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA News