Ammonia leak alarms villagers in Laguna

Ammonia leak alarms villagers in Laguna

LUCENA CITY — A suspected ammonia leak from a commercial ice plant on Saturday morning, June 29, has caused alarm to village residents in Los Baños, Laguna.

“Residents of our barangay are currently experiencing irritation, tearing, redness of the eyes and skin, and blurred vision due to an ammonia leak at an ice plant on Lopez Avenue,” Barangay Batong Malake said in a Facebook post.

The social media post also said village officials have immediately coordinated with concerned government agencies to address the problem.

Ammonia is a colorless, highly irritating gas with a sharp odor that is toxic to humans.

READ: 4 volunteer firefighters treated after ammonia leak

Used in agriculture as fertilizer, it’s also a refrigerant, a water purifier, and an ingredient in making plastics, explosives, fabrics, pesticides, dyes, and other chemicals.

Upon contact with the body via breathing, swallowing, or skin contact, it reacts with water to create ammonium hydroxide, a corrosive chemical that harms cells.

READ: Ammonia leak at ice plant affects classes in nearby Taguig school

Barangay atong Malake issued public advisories for the safety of the residents. It ordered the villagers to wear face masks and to move away from the ammonia leak affected areas.

Residents who have been exposed to ammonia were advised to immediately wash the affected areas of their bodies with soap and water.

“Seek medical attention promptly if necessary,” the order said.