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Thursday, November 30, 2006
Students, teachers downed by fumes
DAVAO CITY -- Thirty students and three teachers of the Tanglaw Elementary School were reportedly downed by toxic fumes from a nearby banana plantation in Braulio Dujali, Davao del Norte on Wednesday morning.
Regional Police Director Ricardo Quinto said the students were having their flag ceremony around 7:30 a.m. when about 30 students suddenly collapsed due to inhalation of a chemical known as Mocap.
Mocap's generic name is O-ethyl S.S-dipropyl phosphorodithioate and is used as a soil insecticide-nematicide.
Although the victims were declared out of danger, they were advised to remain in the hospital for 24 hours for observation.
The management of Tadeco, who operates the banana plantation near the school, expressed regret over the unfortunate incident.
"In response to what happened, Tadeco has already provided immediate medical assistance in the form of ambulances, hospital care, and trained medical professionals. The company is committed to providing all that is necessary in order that a similar incident will not happen again," Tadeco said a press statement relayed to Sun.Star Wednesday.
Tadeco reiterated that there was no leak of toxic fumes in the incident.
"Naamoy lang ng mga tao yung malakas na amoy nung chemical dahil mali yung ihip ng hangin," a Tadeco spokesman said. (They just smelled the chemical because the wind was blowing in their direction.) (BOT/With Peng Aliño)
For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Iloilo. (November 30, 2006 issue)
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