Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) put on halt Engro Polymer Company's operations after one of its plants in Port Qasim Industrial Area emitted gas that affected over 100 employees on Friday. However no causality was reported till filing of the report.
The affected employees, suffering with vomiting/nausea etc were rushed to different city hospitals, including the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) and the Pakistan Steel Hospital, for treatment.
JPMC officials said most of the patients had been discharged after being provided first aid, while condition of one patient was stated to be critical. Five patients were admitted to a private hospital on the Stadium Road.
"The isolated incident of release of chlorine gas through the vents at Engro Polymer & Chemicals Plant, Port Qasim, took place at around 10:10am. Specific areas of the Plant have been taken temporarily offline as a precautionary measure," Engro said in a statement.
"Due to swift identification of the incident and rapid response by our staff, the matter was quickly contained and the affectees were immediately taken for necessary first aid to nearby medical facilities. Patients are being released once cleared after necessary inspection and necessary first aid. No fainting spells, injuries or fatalities have been thus far reported," it said.
SEPA spokesman said that on the directives of the Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah, a team of SEPA, led by its Director General Naeem Mughal, arrived at the place of incident and ordered stoppage of all its operations as all its plants over there were inter-connected. The plant which earlier emitted gas was already shut down by the company.
"The company has also been informed that its operations will remain closed till it ensures SEPA of full compliance with provincial environmental regulations," he said.
The management of the company was offered an opportunity of personal hearing to explain its position on the subject matter. He said SEPA team visited JPMC and other hospitals to collect the data of patients affected by the gas leak.
Spokesman for Engro said prolonged exposure to chlorine gas might be dangerous, however, in this incident, affectees had been provided first aid and there had not been reports of excessive exposure.
"Patients are being released once cleared after necessary inspection and necessary first aid. We have ensured Engro staff is present at all health facilities where our employees are being checked," he concluded.