SEPANG: Methyl mercaptan gas had leaked from the KLIA Southern Support Zone Aircraft Engineering area in the incident this morning.
The Selangor Fire and Rescue Department operations centre confirmed the matter this evening.
When contacted by the New Straits Times, state Fire and Rescue Department director Wan Md Razali Wan Ismail assured the public that the incident did not affect operations at the KLIA terminal.
Methyl mercaptan, or Methanethiol is a flammable and colourless gas with an unpleasant odour akin to rotten cabbage, according to the United States Centre for Disease Control (CDC) website.
It is used as a gas odorant, as well as an intermediate in the production of pesticides, jet fuels, and plastics, according to the
The gas is also used in the synthesis of the amino acid, methionine.
Exposure to methyl mercaptan may cause immediate irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and shortness of breath, as well as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and tearing of the eyes, said the CDC.
Exposure to methyl mercaptan also causes nausea and vomiting and dizziness, headache, and lack of coordination.
In an earlier statement the Selangor Fire and Rescue Department said that at least 20 people suffered from nausea following a chemical leak at the KLIA Southern Support Zone Aircraft Engineering area.
Those affected were staff from the Sepang Aircraft, MAS Engineering Hangar and CAE.
Six were sent to the air disaster unit, 13 to the medical centre, and one to the Putrajaya Hospital for medical treatment.
Among the agencies involved in this incident are the police, the Department of Environment, Aviation Security (AVSEC), Health Ministry, Airport Fire Rescue Service and Air Side Safety.