Ammonia gas leak fifth since February, sparks call for inspection of freezing, storage plants

Genuino Ice Plant on Colonel Moran St. in Barangay Sta. Cruz is closed down after ammonia leaks that send residents to panic. (Ed Estabaya/Interaksyon.com)

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InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5

MANILA, Philippines - A toxics watchdog is urging national and local government agencies to conduct an immediate inspection of ice and cold storage facilities to prevent community and workplace safety problems due to ammonia leaks.

The EcoWaste Coalition made the appeal following the ammonia gas leak on Saturday in Quezon City that forced hundreds of residents to flee when gas seeped out from the Genuino Ice Plant on Colonel Moran St. in Barangay Sta. Cruz.

It was the fifth reported incident since late February 2012.

Ammonia, or “anhydrous ammonia,” is a commonly used refrigerant in large freezing and refrigeration plants such as those involved in ice making, dairy products manufacturing and cold storage. 

Exposure to ammonia, a colorless, corrosive and highly irritating gas with suffocating smell, can irritate or burn the nose, throat and respiratory tract, eyes and skin, and cause dizziness and nausea among victims. 

“Government regulators, together with community leaders, should swiftly conduct an inspection of freezing and storage facilities to prevent ammonia leaks due to engineering flaws and releases occurring during operations and maintenance as well as accidental releases,” said Manny Calonzo of the EcoWaste Coalition.

“We hope our proposal will also trigger greater recognition of the community right to know about hazardous chemicals being produced, stored, used, treated or disposed of in industrial facilities, some of which may be located next to homes and schools, and lead to the environmentally-sound  management of chemicals and wastes,” he added.

The group directed its appeal to key government agencies in charge of chemical accident response and mitigation such as the DILG-Bureau of Fire Protection, DOLE-Occupational Safety and Health Center, DENR-Environmental Management Bureau, DOH-Environmental and Occupational Health Office and local government units.

The proposed inspection of freezing and storage facilities has become imperative following a series of ammonia gas leaks involving ice plants, the EcoWaste Coalition said. It listed the incidents:

• February 20 2011, over 300 families had to be evacuated as a result of an ammonia gas spill at VCNC ice plant in Barangay Bagong Bantay, Quezon City.

• On February 29, 2012, an ammonia gas leak from the ENL ice plant and storage in Barangay Ayala, Zamboanga City sickened over 100 villagers.

• On March 3 and 4 2011, residents of Barangay Tibag, Pulilan, Bulacan were affected by ammonia leak from a Nestle ice cream factory in the area.

• On April 1, 2012, an ammonia gas leak occurred at the Polar Bear Freezing and Storage Corp. in Barangay Manggahan, Pasig City that caused the hospitalization of three persons.

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