Foskor distances itself from Richards Bay gas leak
A Richards Bay acid plant says it was not responsible for the suspected gas leak in the Arboretum area.
Paramedics rushed 37 pupils from Richards Bay High School to hospital on Monday after experiencing nausea and difficulty breathing.
Some were said to be vomiting, while others apparently collapsed.
Officials say all but one schoolgirl had been discharged by the late afternoon.
READ: Mayor demands probe into suspected gas leak that left dozens sick
Some Arboretum residents say they also suffered symptoms.
The Richards Bay Clean Air Association on Monday said its Arboretum station had recorded sulphur dioxide levels that exceeded air quality limits.
The association said it had contacted the management of Foskor, as it had suspected the substance could have emanated from the plant.
In a statement, Foskor said after receiving a complaint from the uMhlathuze Municipality, it immediately investigated and found no leak at its facilities.
ALSO READ: Richards Bay gas leak: 36 pupils discharged, community meeting called
The company says two of its three sulphuric acid plants had been down for planned maintenance.
It said data from the third facility shows it was operating within the minimum emission standards at the time of the incident.
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