Ammonia leak at Dolefil plant in S. Cotabato sends 35 people to hospital

Polomolok in South Cotabato (Image from Google Maps)

KORONADAL CITY — Thirty-five people were rushed to a hospital Monday morning for treatment of injuries caused by an ammonia leak at a plant of giant fruit producer Dole Philippines, Inc . (Dolefil) in nearby Polomolok, South Cotabato, according to a company official said.

Gwyn Ann Marie S. Ebol-Palima, Dolefil corporate communications manager, said the company was still investigating the incident, which happened at 11:45 p.m. Sunday at a facility in Barangay Cannery, Polomolok.

“The response team of Dolefil quickly contained the release,” Ebol-Palima said in a statement. “The factory was on a regularly scheduled shutdown at the time.”

She said the 35 residents of adjacent Purok Sta. Cruz, suspected to have been affected by the incident, were immediately taken to the company’s Howard Hubbard Memorial Hospital.

As of 11:00 a.m. on Monday, 18 have already been discharged and 17 others were still under observation, she said.

They received utmost medical from the hospital staff, Ebol-Palima said, noting those remaining at the hospital were not in serious medical condition.

Exposure to high concentrations of ammonia in the air causes immediate burning of the eyes, nose, throat and respiratory tract and can result in blindness, lung damage or even death.

Inhalation of lower concentrations can cause coughing, and nose and throat irritation, according to the New York State Department of Health.

The mayor’s office and barangay officials had been informed of the incident, she added.

“Dolefil takes the safety of its employees, its operations, and the community as its top priority. We will continue to monitor those affected to ensure their safety and well-being,” Ebol-Palima said. /atm