FOLLOWING a chemical odour that was reported in Wentworth and Merebank on October 1, residents are calling for an urgent investigation into the incident.

It is alleged that one of the chemical companies in Jacobs was washing containers containing chemicals, resulting in the odour being released into the air.

Air quality and health officer at the South Durban Community Environmental Alliance, Bongani Mthembu, said residents had contacted the organisation after experiencing health problems.

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“We received frantic calls from members of the public who complained about chest pains after inhaling chemicals. All the fumes went into the community.

“We suspect that the recent odour release is linked to the March 12 incident, where children from a local school were affected. Children suffered respiratory problems while others fainted.

“We want this incident to be probed so that the responsible company will be held accountable. This should serve as a lesson to other companies that continue polluting the air despite concerns raised by members of the public,” said Mthembu.

Frustrated residents from Merebank and Wentworth vented their anger on social media platforms, asking for the intervention of eThekwini Municipality.

“The smell is affecting our chest and causing wheezing,” one of the messages stated.

Health officials from eThekwini Municipality are expected to follow up on the concerns raised by the public.

At the time of publication no comment was received from eThekwini Municipality.

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