Toxic gas leak: APSEA deplores baseless rumours in media

All Pakistan Solvent Extractors Association (APSEA) strongly deplores the baseless and unsubstantiated rumours in the media suggesting that the toxic gases which have caused tragic deaths in Karachi have originated from the soybean vessel which was berthed at KPT.

Even a brief analysis of facts related to soybeans and the issue will reveal how far fetched such theories are:

1. The vessel contains merchantable soybean of the US origin, which is of highest quality and was shipped after the usual stringent quality tests by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Upon arrival into Pakistan, the vessel was thoroughly inspected by the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) who found no quality issues. DPP, after further testing of the cargo at accredited labs for checks, especially for aflatoxin levels as per usual practice, issued release orders for the cargo. Soybean is an agricultural commodity and contains no chemicals. Therefore the question of the cargo causing any toxicity to the environment does not arise.

2. The first patient was hospitalized even before the soybean vessel had started discharge. Therefore, it is impossible that the issue can be attributable to the soybean vessel.

3. None of the around 400 labourers and ship crew who are involved in the discharge operation has been affected.

4. On an average, 3 soybean vessels call on Pakistani ports every month for the last 5 years. No such problem has ever been reported. 17 vessels that have been handled at KPT prior to this vessel none have caused any problems.

5. Today, on 18-02-2020, the Department of Plant Protection (DPP) sent their crew on board the vessel along with gas detectors to check for any harmful or toxic gases such as methyl bromide or phosphine. No gases were detected.

APSEA strongly sympathizes with those affected by this tragedy and sincerely hopes that the issue is resolved soon. However, we strongly urge that all concerned should not let themselves be misguided, and should carefully collect and forward facts only in the interest of general public.-PR