Tuesday, February 06, 2007 Biscuit firm’s smokestack blamed for students’ illness
THE management of a biscuit factory in Mandaue City has been told to increase the height of its smokestack so it won’t affect nearby establishments, including a school.
The Office of Sustain-ability and Environment and the City Health Office made the recommendation after three students of the Mandaue City Science High School were taken to the hospital last Thursday when they had difficulty breathing.
City Health Officer Oscar Quirante and engineer Roberto Ranile said in separate interviews yesterday that no cause has been pinpointed yet but one of the students who suffocated said the smoke came from the factory.
The smokestack is adjacent to the second floor classroom where the students had classes.
The factory, which has been in operation since the 1980’s, reportedly uses “pogon” or native oven in cooking its biscuits.
Since then, it has been maximizing leftover wood used in manufacturing furniture.
Ranile said he didn’t encounter any unusual smell in his inspection of the establishments within the premises of the school last Thursday and Friday.
There were about five students in a classroom at the Mandaue City Science High School last Thursday when the incident happened.
Only three were taken to the emergency room of the Mandaue City Hospital but were later released that day.
In a separate interview, Quirante said that based on his inspection, teachers commented that they have already noticed the unusual smell in the premises.
The area is still being monitored since the smell is reportedly noticed only on certain hours.
Ranile will be incorporating Quirante’s findings and recommendations with his to make a comprehensive report on the incident.
Ranile has given his contact numbers to the teachers so he will immediately be notified if the incident happens again. (AAG)
